Schefter: Todd Downing Could Replace Nathaniel Hackett as Jets’ Offensive Play-Caller
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVOctober 9, 2024
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Nathaniel Hackett remains the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, but he might be looking at a demotion.
SNY’s Connor Hughes reported Tuesday that Robert Saleh, who was fired as head coach, was planning to hand play-calling duties to passing game coordinator Todd Downing. Hughes added the idea might also be under consideration by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Adam Schefter of ESPN echoed that reporting Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show:
Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow”I’m reading between the lines but..
I’m led to believe that Todd Downing could be calling plays for the New York Jets”
You just broke news @AdamSchefter đđ#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/A6GvdA6XdU
A lot of Jets fans will welcome any step to lessen Hackett’s influence over the offense. New York was one of the NFL’s worst offensive teams in 2023, and the unit hasn’t improved much despite having quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy.
Pivoting to Downing as the play-caller might not be much of an upgrade, though.
The 44-year-old has been an offensive coordinator for three seasons, two with the Tennessee Titans and one with the Oakland Raiders. His offenses have never ranked higher than 17th in yards or 15th in points.
Most concerning, Downing failed to develop a magic elixir that makes his quarterbacks perform like their younger selves. That would come in handy given New York’s present predicament.
Firing Saleh. Demoting Hackett. Elevating Downing. All of these decisions are dancing around the fact Rodgers looks like a 40-year-old who’s a season removed from tearing his Achilles. Through five starts, he has thrown for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions and he ranks 21st in QBR (49.1), per ESPN.com.
If anything, Rodgers is reverting to the passer he was in his final year with the Green Bay Packers. His 218.6 yards per game are nearly equal to 2022 (217.4) while his 61.0 percent completion rate and 6.0 yards per attempt are slightly lower to their 2022 counterparts.
The Jets can reshuffle the coaching staff and maybe even execute a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams. Right now, it’s hard to see how they can achieve their lofty ambitions with this version of Rodgers under center.
