The New York Jets have announced that Nathaniel Hackett will remain as the offensive play-caller for the 2024 season, despite a disappointing offensive performance in 2023. The Jets' offense struggled significantly, finishing 31st in points per possession and ranking last in yards per possession. This led to internal discussions among the team's leadership about whether to retain Hackett.
A Frustrating Season
The 2023 season highlighted numerous issues within the Jets' offensive unit. They ended with the worst third-down conversion rates and red zone efficiency in the league. These statistics painted a bleak picture of the offensive struggles that plagued the team throughout the season. Despite these challenges, the decision was made to keep Hackett in his role.
Consideration of Arthur Smith
During the offseason, the Jets' leadership pondered the possibility of bringing in Arthur Smith, recently dismissed from his role as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in January. The Jets saw Smith as a potential solution to their offensive woes and considered him for a significant position on the coaching staff. However, "the role that he'd actually have on Robert Salah's coaching staff was not clear," indicating some uncertainty about his exact duties and responsibilities if he were to join.
The team was open to the idea of Smith "possibly being part of the play-calling process," suggesting he could have had considerable influence on the offensive strategies. Yet, Smith ultimately declined the offer from the Jets. Instead, he chose to take on the role of offensive coordinator at the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move that ended any prospects of his joining the Jets.
Looking Forward
With Smith taking up a new position with the Steelers, the Jets were left to reconsider their options. After deliberation, they opted to stick with Hackett, showing a degree of continuity and perhaps faith that he could turn things around in the upcoming season. The decision to retain Hackett might signal the team's confidence in their existing coaching structure or a strategic move to avoid further disruption.
The Jets' choice to continue with Hackett as offensive play-caller, given the disheartening performance of the offense last season, will be scrutinized closely by fans and analysts alike. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Hackett to see if he can address the glaring issues and improve the team's offensive output.
The coming months will reveal whether the Jets made the right call in sticking with their current offensive coordinator. One thing is certain: the pressure is on Nathaniel Hackett to deliver results and rejuvenate an offense that struggled mightily during the last campaign.