Nathaniel Hackett demoted as Jets play-caller by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich

NEW YORK — Two days after being named Jets interim coach, Jeff Ulbrich made his first significant decision.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is being stripped of his play-calling duties, and passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Todd Downing will take on that role moving forward.

“I did not make this decision easily by any means,” Ulbrich told the media on Thursday. “This is more a byproduct of a different take on things. Not saying it’s a better or a worse take on things by any means, a fresh approach.

“Ultimately, Todd will have the full say with the gameplan and the plays that are called.”

On Tuesday morning, the Jets fired Robert Saleh after three-plus seasons following a 26-40 record during that span. One of the biggest reasons for the lack success during Saleh’s tenure was the offensive side of the ball.

Under Hackett’s direction over the last couple of seasons, the Jets have fielded one of the worst offenses in the league. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2023, Hackett’s offense finished 31st in yards (268.6) and 29th in points per game (15.8).

Before he was fired on Tuesday, Saleh was considering demoting Hackett and making Downing the play-caller for the rest of this season, according to sources. Prior to that change happening, Jets owner Woody Johnson and quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke on the phone. But according to Rodgers, the two just discussed how he was doing following the 23-17 loss to the Vikings.

Hackett’s day-to-day operations will not change, according to Ulbrich. The major change will be that Downing will have the final say on the Jets’ offensive play calls and game planning from week to week.

During his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, Rodgers said he would support whatever changes Ulbrich had in mind for the offense after many accused the four-time NFL MVP of being the reason Saleh was fired.

“We understand the relationship that he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “They are very, very good friends, they go back a long way. He understood the decision, and he was supportive of the decision, and I’m fortunate for that.

“I talked to him, I talked to a lot of different offensive players and defensive players before making this decision.”

This will be the third time Downing, 44, has been a team’s play-caller. He was the offensive coordinator of the Raiders in 2017. Most notably, Downing was the Titans offensive coordinator from 2021-22.

In 2021, the Titans earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed after finishing 12-5. But they were eliminated by the Bengals in the AFC divisional round that season.

The following season, the Titans finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs. Then-Titans coach Mike Vrabel fired Downing after the team finished 30th in yards (296.8) and 28th in points scored (17.5) per game.

“I’ve always had a ton of respect for Todd,” Ulbrich said. “Schematically, it is really the style of play from that group, what they embody. The casual fan is watching the game, what do they walk away saying about that offense?

“For every Tennessee offense that I ever went against when Todd was the play-caller there, they were tough, they were ruthless, they finished, they ran the ball, they played on their terms.

“It was definitely a style that appealed to me.”

The Jets offense hasn’t been sustainably better with Rodgers back from the Achilles injury he suffered four plays into his debut last season.

Gang Green ranks 27th in yards (286.6) and 25th in points per game with Rodgers throwing for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Jets’ rushing attack, led by Breece Hall, has not performed up to standards. They rank dead last in rushing yards per game (80.4).

The Jets entered this season with Super Bowl aspirations. Johnson called the Jets roster the “best team” he has had during his 25 years with the organization.

But after making several acquisitions such as signing left tackle Tyron Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams, the Jets haven’t been anywhere close to one of the top teams in the league.

“I just felt that the best way to go forward was with a new direction, and taking Jeff Ulbrich, and making him the interim head coach,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “I thought that would get the most out of this team and give us the best chance that well all want to have, which is going to the playoffs.”

In addition to making Downing the offensive play-caller, Ulbrich will maintain his defensive coordinator role and his play-calling duties. The Jets’ defense ranks second in yards allowed (255.8) and points allowed (17.0).

“It’s been a whirlwind, a little bit of a tornado, but it’s exciting at the same time,” Ulbrich said about this opportunity.