Jets' new play-caller Todd Downing praises Nathaniel Hackett for his support

NEW YORK — It’s very rare for a coach who was demoted to stay on the same staff.

But that is the case for Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. On Wednesday, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich stripped him of play-calling duties and made passing game coordinator Todd Downing the new play-caller.

Downing told reporters that’s a testament to the type of coach Hackett is.

“I can’t express the respect, the reverence I have for the way Nathaniel has gone about his business,” Downing said Friday. “From the moment the switch occurred, he walked into my office and he told me that he wanted to support me and see me succeed in this role and that the only thing that mattered to him was this offense putting together a good product and us winning football games.

“He put his ego aside, he is an absolute servant and it really has been humbling to watch how he has handled this. Most people who are going through what he is going through would make it awkward. He has not, he has stood up and answered the bell in ways that I couldn’t even imagine.”

Outside of Downing having the final say on play-calling during games and planning throughout the week, Hackett’s role with the Jets will remain the same, according to Ulbrich. Hackett will still participate in meetings and try to help a Jets offense that’s been struggling to start the season.

This week has been a whirlwind for the Jets organization. Before changing play-callers, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh after three-plus seasons, a 26-40 record, and a 2-3 start to this season.

That led to Ulbrich becoming the Jets’ interim coach and ultimately deciding to make Downing the new play-caller to help fix a struggling offense. Downing said he found he would be calling plays close to the same time the news went public.

“Definitely, a unique week,” Downing said. “I’ve been in this profession for a long time, and you think you’ve gone through a lot of different experiences, and this one was certainly a new one.

“I’ve been blown away, humbled and impressed by how everyone’s rallied together and focused, the support that I’ve received, and you take it one meeting, one day at a time, until you kind of find your groove. It’s been a process, bit of a whirlwind, but impressed and humbled by everybody around me.”

Downing is now tasked with helping Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense break out of an early-season funk. The team ranks 27th in yards (286.6) and 25th in points per game (18.6).

Rodgers’ play the previous two weeks hasn’t been up to his standard. This season, Rodgers has thrown for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. In back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Vikings, he has thrown for a combined 469 yards, two TDs and three interceptions with a completion percentage of 55.2.

Rodgers told reporters on Thursday that he supports the changes Ulbrich wants to make as an interim coach.

“It was Brick’s [Ulbrich] decision, and I told him I’d back him up whatever he decided,” Rodgers said.

“I love Nathaniel. I mean he’s one of my dearest friends in the league, and obviously a tough situation, but I think it speaks volumes to the character that he has that he wanted to stick around, be here for me, be here for Todd, support Todd, so it’s a credit to the man that he is.”

In addition to Rodgers’ rocky start, the Jets’ rushing attack has been nonexistent. They’re last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (80.4).

“This team does have a strong run game,” Downing said. “We just haven’t seen it come to fruition consistently enough. I think there have become times where you can find people pressing a little bit because there’s an expectation for production and when it’s not met, you can feel a sense of urgency.

“I believe our guys are ready to answer the bell and make the quarter-turn adjustments we need to make to get this thing on track.”

This is the third time Downing has been an NFL coordinator. In 2017, he was the Raiders’ offensive coordinator for one season. Four seasons later, he was elevated from Titans tight ends coach to offensive coordinator for two seasons (2021-22) before then-coach Mike Vrabel fired him after the offense finished 30th overall and 28th in points scored.

“I think we are all a product of our life experiences,” Downing said. “I’ve always tried to be reflective first as I’ve gone through different opportunities that have come and gone throughout my career.

"I hope I’m sharper and I hope I have the opportunity to showcase, the experiences that I’ve accumulated over the years.”