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What Nathaniel Hackett’s hiring means for Jets’ offense, Aaron Rodgers pursuit

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Robert Saleh scoured the earth for the right offensive coordinator, interviewing “well over” 15 candidates, he said. Ultimately, though, he settled on one of the first names he put on his list when the Jets coach began looking for Mike LaFleur’s replacement.

Thursday, Saleh hired Nathaniel Hackett as his offensive coordinator, the biggest name on his list. Hackett was fired 15 games into a disastrous debut season as Broncos head coach, and the belief around the league — and even by some within the Jets organization — was that Hackett would take time off before returning to coaching.

Instead, Saleh convinced him to take control of an offense still looking for its quarterback, and in need of a reset after a problematic end to the 2022 season — with no touchdowns scored in the final three games — that ultimately led to LaFleur’s departure.

“Nathaniel checked every box,” Saleh said. “We’re just really fortunate, how much he believes in us as an organization. He could’ve sat on the couch for four years but his excitement to be here is reciprocated. He’s really excited. It’s a really, really good hire.”

Here are seven thoughts on this hire — plus the new Jets offensive line coach — and what it means for the offense, what the Jets will do at quarterback and for Zach Wilson.

Let’s get this out of the way first since it’s on everyone’s minds: Saleh insists the topic of who the Jets might pursue at quarterback this offseason was not part of the discussions with Hackett.

It’s no secret that Hackett has a close relationship with Aaron Rodgers, who — if he doesn’t retire — might be available via trade. Hackett was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator in Green Bay for his two most recent MVP award-winning seasons (2020, 2021). After Hackett was fired by the Broncos, Rodgers told Pat McAfee that “obviously it wasn’t a great fit in Denver” and that “he’s got a great friend in me still.”

Saleh said Hackett will come to the Jets’ facility next week and research all the quarterbacks, though it’s obviously hard to ignore his connection to Rodgers. Saleh admitted what the Jets do at quarterback was the “No. 1 concern” for the coaches he interviewed for the OC job, a further indication that they are prepared to move on from Wilson as their starter.

“The quarterback position was the No. 1 concern and rightfully so,” Saleh said. “It’s simple, we’re committed to finding a veteran, but we (Saleh and Hackett) didn’t get into names. I doubt he’s even studied those guys yet. He’s going to start next week. … We do plan on bringing in a veteran quarterback if we can. We do want to continue working with Zach and developing him.”

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2. How the search went

Saleh did “cast a wide net” in the offensive coordinator search, as he promised. The candidates he interviewed ranged from experienced play-callers (from varied schemes) to young coaches who haven’t called plays to college coaches. Not everyone was interested — both Darrell Bevell (Dolphins) and Joe Brady (Bills) opted to remain where they are rather than interview — but Saleh ultimately settled on a coach he describes as a “home-run” hire, especially paired with new offensive line coach Keith Carter.

Saleh interviewed all of the candidates first via Zoom, and then some — including Hackett — traveled to the Jets’ facility in Florham Park for an in-person conversation.

“When it came back to a certain checklist I was trying to go through of what I was looking for, I just kept circling back to him,” Saleh said. “He checks every box.”

Saleh said it was “important” to hire someone with experience. Hackett has been an offensive coordinator for three teams (Bills, Jaguars, Packers) and called plays to start his lone season as Broncos head coach.

“When you look at Nathaniel and this team, we knew we were going to have a revamped offensive line, we’ve been talking about getting a veteran quarterback if we can, we have a young group of skill guys,” Saleh said, “so it was important for us to have guys who have done it before.”

The Jets will build out Hackett’s offensive scheme without knowing who the quarterback will be, but expect a heavy emphasis on the running game. As an organization, the Jets believe they can win with a top-level defense and productive rushing attack — it’s how they started 6-3 in 2022 before falling off and missing the playoffs — and adding a quality quarterback would only make that formula work even better.


Nathaniel Hackett (left) and Robert Saleh used to work together on the Jaguars. (Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)

3. What the offense will look like under Hackett

Hackett has a background with West Coast offenses, so don’t expect the offense to look entirely different than it did with LaFleur, who brought over his coaching philosophies from Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.

“There’s going to be some continuity there,” Saleh said. “He’s got a proven history of being able to develop a heck of a run game in every stop he’s ever been in. He’s got a proven track record of tremendous relationships with all the quarterbacks he’s ever worked with. He’s had success with all the QBs he’s worked with. There’s a lot of strengths with him. His commitment to complementary football, the experience, he’s an innovative teacher.”

I asked Nick Kosmider, The Athletic’s Broncos writer, what Hackett’s offensive approach looks like. Here’s what he said: “He is steeped in the outside-zone principles where you want to disguise the formation so that run and pass look the same. So he’ll want to use, say, big receivers in the slot, things like that. His optimal version of the offense was never really able to get off the ground here once they lost running back Javonte Williams. He should be able to get his system to work better with who the Jets have at running back.”

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4. What to make of Hackett’s disastrous Broncos season

Saleh attempted to divert attention away from what went wrong in Denver by calling it “recency bias” and emphasizing that Hackett got the Broncos job in the first place because of his success as an offensive coordinator. But it would be impossible to ignore what happened in Denver.

Hackett appeared to have lost control of the locker room, with teammates getting into scuffles on the sideline, when he was fired after coaching just 15 games. Quarterback Russell Wilson had the worst season of his career — 60.5 percent completion rate, 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and two lost fumbles. The Broncos were also the worst-scoring offense (16.9 points per game) in the NFL.

On the positive end, the Broncos were the 14th most-efficient red-zone offense (the Jets were 31st) and 17th in rushing yards per carry (the Jets were 24th), despite losing Williams.

“You’ve gotta own it. It’s part of the resume,” Saleh said. “You’ve gotta have the discipline to look past recency bias. You’ve gotta be able to look past whatever you want to call Denver. … I get it. I get the sentiment, but you’ve gotta be able to understand it was a celebrated hire when he got hired by Denver and it just didn’t work out. Sometimes things happen that way.”

5. The rest of the offensive staff

Saleh seemed even more amped up about adding Carter as offensive line coach and run game coordinator, replacing the fired John Benton. Carter spent the last five seasons as the Titans’ offensive line coach before they parted ways this offseason due to “philosophical differences,” Saleh said, who called him a “hard-nosed, hard-charging football coach that we’re really excited to get.”

Carter has a difficult job ahead in helping to rebuild an offensive line that was in shambles at the end of last season. Only two offensive linemen who started in 2022 — guard Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, who can play guard or tackle — are viewed as locks to start in 2023. Left tackle Duane Brown might return, but he could also retire or be cut for cap savings. Right tackle George Fant, right guard Nate Herbig and center Connor McGovern are all free agents. Tackle Mekhi Becton has missed all but one game the last two seasons with injuries, and tackle Max Mitchell was put on the non-football injury list in December.

Carter does have a proven track record, though. Over five seasons in Tennessee, this is where the Titans ranked in pressure rate allowed and successful play rate on rushing attempts, per TruMedia:

2018: 11th, 21st
2019: 9th, 11th
2020: 15th, 6th
2021: 18th, 25th
2022: 30th, 28th

The Jets also still have to fill a hole at wide receivers coach after Miles Austin was fired. Expect some continuity on staff, though it wouldn’t be surprising if Hackett brought in many of his own people at certain spots. Saleh also said he still intends to add a senior offensive assistant to the staff.


Nathaniel Hackett spent three seasons as Aaron Rodgers’ offensive coordinator in Green Bay. (Larry Radloff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

6. Hackett’s history as an OC

Hackett has an up-and-down history as an offensive coordinator. He’s only been the primary play-caller with the Jaguars and in his short tenure with the Broncos. The Jaguars had one great season with Hackett as OC, in 2017 (sixth in yardage, fifth in scoring), and two others that weren’t as good. In 2016, they ranked 23rd in yardage and 25th in scoring. In 2018: 27th in yardage and 31st in scoring.

Hackett was the Bills’ offensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014. In those years, Buffalo ranked 19th and 26th in yardage, and 22nd and 18th in scoring. It should be noted that Hackett’s starting quarterbacks were Blake Bortles, E.J. Manuel, Cody Kessler, Thaddeus Lewis, Kyle Orton and Jeff Tuel.

Hackett also played an important role in Rodgers’ two MVP seasons. Packers coach Matt LaFleur called the plays, but Hackett oversaw red-zone planning and was heavily involved in the game plan, too. In Hackett’s three years as Packers offensive coordinator (2019-21), Green Bay ranked 15th, first and 10th in scoring, and 18th, fifth and 10th in yardage.

7. What it means for Zach Wilson

The Jets have been open about their desire to upgrade at quarterback, in so many words admitting that Wilson will not be their starter in 2023. Whether that means adding Rodgers, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Ryan Tannehill or someone else, Wilson is viewed more as a developmental project than a starting quarterback right now.

“Zach, we still have a lot of faith in him,” Saleh said. “He does things with the football in his arm that you can’t teach and he’s still young. He’s only 23 years old and he’s already got two years under his belt in this league. We just want to make sure we give him every opportunity to grow and develop. … We’re confident in Nathaniel and his ability to do that.”

(Top photo: AAron Ontiveroz / MediaNews Group / The Denver Post via Getty Images)



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Would Aaron Rodgers join the Jets? What a trade for the QB might cost

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It’s nearly the anniversary of that time the Jets flew a legendary Packers quarterback to Cleveland and crammed him into a small interview room at the Browns’ stadium before a preseason game to introduce him as their next quarterback.

“This is unique,” Brett Favre said on that day, Aug. 7, 2008.

That marriage worked until it didn’t. The Jets started the 2008 season 8-3, Favre suffered an injury (but played through it), they lost four of their last five games and coach Eric Mangini was fired. The Packers wanted to trade Favre — the Jets only had to give up a conditional fourth-round pick for the 39-year-old — because of who they had waiting in the wings:

A 25-year-old Aaron Rodgers.

Fifteen years later, and here we are, a legendary 39-year-old Packers quarterback (Rodgers, four MVPs, a Super Bowl and 10 Pro Bowl selections later) possibly on his way out to make way for a young quarterback waiting in the wings (Jordan Love) … with the Jets on line one.

Rodgers has said he hasn’t made any decisions about whether he’ll even play in 2023 — or if he wants that to be in Green Bay — but as the Jets desperately seek an upgrade at quarterback, expect them to be involved in any trade discussions if the Packers do seriously consider moving him.

“All the trade stuff is conjecture until I decide what I want to do moving forward for myself,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday.

But if Rodgers does keep playing and becomes available? Expect the Jets to be in heavy pursuit. What would that look like?

Here’s everything to consider with Rodgers and the Jets.

Would the Packers actually trade him?

The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, who covers the Packers, wrote this about Rodgers on Tuesday: It seems as if the Packers still believe Rodgers gives them the best chance to win right now. Whether that’s more an endorsement of Rodgers or an indictment of Love remains unknown. Whatever cap hell the Packers find themselves in down the road will be worth it if they win a second Super Bowl with Rodgers.

Rodgers, though, sounded prepared for the possibility of playing for another team when he spoke to McAfee on Tuesday.

“If they feel like it was in the best interests of the team to move forward, so be it,” he said. “Again, that wouldn’t offend me, and it wouldn’t make me feel like a victim. I wouldn’t have any animosity towards the team. I love the organization, I love the city, I love the region. … I have a lot of love for what’s gone on in Green Bay. And I’d love to finish there, I would. I might have finished there. Who knows?”

Even at 39, coming off his worst season in a while, Rodgers would likely still net a significant trade return. Plus, the Packers could get out from enough of the $110 million remaining on the extension he signed last offseason to have some financial breathing room while rolling with a quarterback (Love) still on his rookie contract.

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What would it take to get Rodgers?

Here’s the return on some recent notable quarterback trades:

• The Falcons traded Matt Ryan (37 years old) to the Colts for a third-round pick.
• The Seahawks traded Russell Wilson (34) and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos for two first-round and two second-round picks, a fifth-rounder and three players (QB Drew Lock, DL Shelby Harris, TE Noah Fant).
• The Texans traded Deshaun Watson (27) and a sixth-round pick to the Browns for three first-round, one third-round and two fourth-round picks.
• The Colts traded Carson Wentz (30) and a second-round pick to the Commanders for one second-round and two third-round picks.
• In 2021, the Lions traded Matthew Stafford (then 33) to the Rams for two first-round and one third-round pick, plus QB Jared Goff.

Based on that criteria, it would be surprising if Rodgers were traded for anything less than multiple first-round picks, and probably more. Any acquiring team would be smart, though, to attach conditions to the trade in the event that Rodgers retired after 2023.

Would the Jets be willing to trade that much? By all accounts, owner Woody Johnson is willing to do whatever it takes to upgrade at quarterback and get the Jets back to the playoffs. The idea of Rodgers in a Jets uniform — and what that would do for ticket sales — has to pique Johnson’s interest.

Salary cap implications

Rodgers has a complicated contract — Over the Cap has a helpful explainer on it — but the part that matters for the Jets is that any trade would likely come post-June 1 (to save Green Bay money) and that they’d likely be inheriting initial cap hits of $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.

OTC projects the Jets to be over the cap, though they can quickly get under it by restructuring contracts (C.J. Mosley, John Franklin-Myers) and/or cutting players for savings (Corey Davis, Carl Lawson, Braxton Berrios, Jordan Whitehead).

How much does Rodgers actually have left in the tank?

Rodgers’ skills are on the decline, which is understandable at this point in his career. He won MVP in 2020 and 2021, but in 2022 threw for his fewest yards (3,695) in any season in which he played at least 15 games. He also threw his most interceptions (12) since his first year as a starter in 2008.

In a win-and-in Week 18 game against the Lions, who had one of the worst passing defenses this season, Rodgers mustered only 205 yards and one touchdown. The Packers lost 20-16, finishing the season 8-9.

Football Outsiders ranked Rodgers 21st among QBs in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average). He also ranked 25th in EPA (expected points added) per dropback, per TruMedia, just ahead of Jets quarterback Mike White (26th).

He also dealt with a broken thumb and injuries to his ribs and knee during the season.


Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson were able to chat when the Jets and Packers held joint practices in 2021. (Matt Ludtke / Associated Press)

Why Rodgers makes sense for the Jets

The Jets feel like they’re a quarterback — and revamped offensive line — away from contention. And Rodgers, even if he’s on the decline, would be better than any quarterback the Jets have employed in a long time. His star power is great enough for him to potentially attract other players to join the Jets, too.

Rodgers also has a close relationship with Zach Wilson. Wilson sitting back and learning from Rodgers for a year or two — if the Jets don’t move on from him this offseason, that is — wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Wilson is “super talented,” Rodgers told McAfee. “I think a little humility is good for all of us at various times in our careers. … I hope that whoever they decide to go with at coordinator can work with him and break down a lot of fundamentals for him and get him playing on time. I think he’s talented enough to have a long career in the league.”

Would Rodgers actually want to come to the Jets?

If Rodgers becomes available, the Jets have every intention of getting involved in those discussions. Rodgers doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but, to a degree, he’ll likely be able to dictate where he ends up.

“You want to be part of a team that’s going to win a championship,” Rodgers said Tuesday.

Does Rodgers view the Jets as Super Bowl contenders? There is certainly some appeal. The Jets have a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver (Garrett Wilson), one of the NFL’s best defenses and an impressive young core of talent — with an owner willing to spend to upgrade the roster.

But there are also plenty of cracks in the armor Rodgers might notice if he looks closely.

The offensive line, which was a mess by the end of 2022, might need to be completely reworked. The only locks to return as starters are Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Rodgers highlighted Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall when talking about Zach Wilson — but Hall will be coming off an ACL injury in the fall and likely won’t look like the same player right away. The other wide receivers expected to return (Elijah Moore, Denzel Mims) just had lackluster seasons. And on defense, the Jets have holes at linebacker and safety, and might have to part ways with Lawson or Mosley for cap reasons.

On the plus side, though: Thursday, the Jets hired former Packers offensive coordinator (and 15-game Broncos head coach) Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, replacing Mike LaFleur. There is a belief around the league that the team that hired Hackett would have a better shot at getting Rodgers because of their close relationship.

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So the Jets’ best hope for getting Rodgers involves putting together an appealing offensive staff, fixing the offensive line and cultivating a roster that gives Rodgers reason to commit to the team for at least one year, but ideally more than one.

It’s also possible the Jets will decide it’s too risky to wait out the Rodgers situation. They could instead pursue Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, whom they could acquire as soon as the Super Bowl ends.

Other competition for Rodgers

Another factor: The Jets likely wouldn’t be the only team with eyes for Rodgers. ESPN reported that the Packers wouldn’t be willing to trade him within the NFC.

If that’s true, these teams might make sense as candidates for Rodgers:

• Raiders: A reunion with wide receiver Davante Adams.
• Dolphins: The best supporting cast on this list.
• Patriots: Not a better overall roster than the Jets, but they do have Bill Belichick, a top-level defense and better offensive line.
• Titans: Derrick Henry, good coaching and a solid defense — though a severe lack of pass-catchers.
• Colts: A team in disarray, but they do have some pieces on offense and defense.
• Ravens: If they moved on from Lamar Jackson.

If the Packers did trade within the NFC, the Giants, Buccaneers, Saints, Panthers and 49ers all make varying degrees of sense as potential destinations.

(Top photo: John Fisher / Getty Images)



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A tricky Aaron Rodgers pursuit by Jets could take awhile

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The Jets are in the market for a quarterback … again. This is the first in a three-part series exploring their options this offseason. The first part is a look at trading for Packers star Aaron Rodgers.

Jets fans are suddenly searching for clues on “The Pat McAfee Show,” researching ayahuasca and watching a lot of “Jeopardy!” hoping for signs that Aaron Rodgers will be their next quarterback.

Those fans may need to R-E-L-A-X.

It could be a while before Rodgers’ future becomes clear and whether that involves a trade to Gang Green. Rodgers and the Jets made sense in many ways, but there remain some big questions: Would Rodgers want to play for the Jets, and would team owner Woody Johnson be willing to pick up the $59.465 million tab for Rodgers to play in 2023?

Johnson said after the season that he “absolutely” would be willing to spend on a veteran quarterback this offseason if that is what general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh tell him they want to do. Johnson, however, may not have had a price tag of close to $60 million in mind.

Aaron Rodgers
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As the Jets ponder their quarterback options this offseason, the Rodgers question hovers over it. The possibility of adding a future Hall of Famer may be too good to pass up.

At the moment, that is all just speculation. The Packers have not indicated they are willing to trade Rodgers. And Rodgers has not said whether he intends to play in 2023, and if he does play, whether he wants to be traded. He has provided very few clues about what he plans to do. It is the third straight season of trying to read the tea leaves with Rodgers.

“All the other ideas about [a] trade and whatnot, that’s all conjecture until I decide what I want to do moving forward for myself,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” this week.

The conjecture got a boost last weekend when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it is a “real possibility” both the Packers and Rodgers are thinking about a trade this offseason.

The Jets have been connected to the Rodgers sweepstakes through logic. After their disaster this past season with Zach Wilson, Saleh and Douglas need a “win now” quarterback in 2023. Rodgers fits the bill. Johnson has shown he likes to acquire shiny toys. Notably, he traded for Brett Favre, Rodgers’ predecessor at Green Bay, in 2008.

Could Johnson swing another deal with the Packers for an aging superstar?

Broadway Aaron

The first domino to fall will be whether Rodgers is willing to come to the Jets. Rodgers does not have a no-trade clause, but no team would trade for him without assurances that he wants to play for them. Some believe he would not be comfortable under the New York spotlight. The Jets certainly are in a better place than they have been to attract a player of Rodgers’ pedigree. They have a top-five defense. They have young weapons such as Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Elijah Moore. And they are expected to revamp the offensive line this offseason.


The Jets are in the process of hiring an offensive coordinator, and Nathaniel Hackett, who worked with Rodgers in Green Bay and whom the quarterback has spoken highly of, is one of the candidates. Hackett’s presence, however, does not guarantee anything. Just ask the Broncos. When they hired Hackett as their head coach last season, some believed Rodgers would follow him to Denver.

Saleh and Rodgers have some familiarity because of Saleh’s close relationship with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Rodgers said he congratulated Saleh when the Jets hired him while he was FaceTiming with LaFleur. Saleh has faced Rodgers as a coordinator and head coach and got to watch him practice in the summer of 2021, when the Jets and Packers practiced together in Green Bay.


New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur (left) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a joint NFL football practice in 2021.
AP

“Watching him in a practice setting, I thought it was, for me, one of the cooler experiences,” Saleh said at the time. “You hear about Hall of Famers and you hear about how their practice habits are and I just thought the way he communicated with his teammates, the way he talked to his coaches, the respect and the regard that his teammates have for not only him but it’s reciprocated from him to his teammates, just a class act. And everything people think of him is exactly right, he’s A-1.”

The Contract

From a Jets perspective, the biggest hurdle is money. A potential trade for Rodgers would not be a salary cap issue. The three-year, $150 million contract extension he signed in March is structured in a way that keeps the cap hits low for the next two years.

There is a good breakdown of Rodgers’ contract at overthecap.com. Basically, whatever team Rodgers plays for in 2023 would have the option to break Rodgers’ compensation up into a $1.165 million base salary and a $58.3 million bonus. The bonus can be prorated over four years to lower the cap charge. His 2024 salary has a similar option. His cap charges would be a combined $48 million over the next two seasons.


Jets owner Woody Johnson’s commitment to paying for a big time QB would be tested in an Aaron Rodgers deal.
Bill Kostroun for New York Post

So, the Jets could make the cap work. The question is whether Johnson can make the cash work. Even though the bonus would be prorated for cap purposes, Rodgers would be due the $20.3 million within 10 days of the team exercising the option and the other $38 million before Sept. 30.

While Johnson is a billionaire, the Jets do operate under a budget and part of the allure of drafting Zach Wilson in 2021 was having a quarterback playing on a rookie contract and being able to allocate money elsewhere. The Jets surely did not have $60 million in the budget for a quarterback when planning for the 2023 season.

The Packers may be hesitant to trade Rodgers because they will incur a $40 million dead-money charge if they do. If they do move on from Rodgers, it will be because they will have decided they’ve had enough and want to start Jordan Love. It won’t make much financial sense for them.

The Other Issues

Beyond the financial compensation, the Jets would also have to give up draft capital to acquire Rodgers. Just how much depends on who you ask. There was media speculation that the Packers would want two first-round picks for Rodgers. Those around the league feel that is unrealistic. At 39 years old, Rodgers is older than other quarterbacks who have been traded in recent years. The acquiring team would be absorbing his contract, and if it gets to the point of trade talks, would be taking a potential headache off of Green Bay’s hands.

Any trade package probably would be based on how Rodgers performs this coming season. A team could send a mid- and late-round pick in the 2023 draft to Green Bay and also deal a pick or picks in 2024 that are conditional based on things like how many games Rodgers plays, whether he wins MVP, and whether the team make the playoffs, the Super Bowl and wins the Super Bowl. A fourth-round pick could become a first-rounder based on Rodgers hitting certain marks in 2023.

A big question for the Jets is whether they believe Rodgers is declining. He had one of his worst seasons in 2022 after winning the MVP award in 2020 and 2021. Rodgers threw 12 interceptions, his most in a decade, and did not have a single 300-yard passing game last season. The Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

Then, there is the question of how many years Rodgers wants to play. Is it worth doing all of that for one season? He could be a short-term fix, but the team acquiring him would be searching for another quarterback in 2024. Rodgers has flirted with walking away for several years now.

Rodgers may drag this out and the Jets may not be able to wait. Other quarterbacks, such as Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo, are going to find homes by mid-March. The Jets can’t be left without a partner at the end of the game of QB musical chairs.

“I’ve got to figure out what I want to do,” Rodgers told McAfee, “and then we’ll see where all the parties are at and what kind of transpires after that.”

Things could get interesting.

Coming tomorrow: Could Jimmy G or Derek Carr be the answer?

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2022 NFL All-Pro Team Roster

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of 50 media members:

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City

Running Back — Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas

Tight End — Travis Kelce, Kansas City

Wide Receivers — Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Tyreek Hill, Miami; Davante Adams, Las Vegas

Left Tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco

Right Tackle — Lane Johnson, Philadelphia

Left Guard — Joel Bitonio, Cleveland

Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas

Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia

DEFENSE

Edge Rushers — Nick Bosa, San Francisco; Micah Parsons, Dallas

Interior Linemen — Chris Jones, Kansas City; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets

Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Matt Milano, Buffalo

Cornerbacks — Sauce Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver

Safeties — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh; Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker — Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas

Punter — Tommy Townsend, Kansas City

Kick Returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay

Punt Returner — Marcus Jones, New England

Special Teamer — Jeremy Reaves, Washington

Long Snapper — Andrew DePaola, Minnesota

___

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia

Running Back — Nick Chubb, Cleveland

Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco

Wide Receivers — AJ Brown, Philadelphia; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas

Left Tackle — Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Right Tackle — Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay

Left Guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City

Right Guard — Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta

Center — Creed Humphrey, Kansas City

DEFENSE

Edge Rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia

Interior Linemen — Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants; Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee

Linebackers — Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams; CJ Mosley, New York Jets; Demario Davis, New Orleans.

Cornerbacks — Jaire Alexander, Green Bay; James Bradberry, Philadelphia

Safeties — Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers; Justin Simmons, Denver

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker — Justin Tucker, Baltimore

Punter — Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee

Kick Returner — Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota

Punt Returner — Kalif Raymond, Detroit

Special Teamer — George Odum, San Francisco

Long Snapper — Nick Moore, Baltimore

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL



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Jets offensive coordinator candidates: Nathaniel Hackett, Kliff Kingsbury and 14 others

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In November, Mike LaFleur was listed as a future head coaching candidate by NFL.com. By January, he was out as the Jets’ offensive coordinator.

The Jets and LaFleur on Wednesday mutually agreed to part ways, according to a team official not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.

The news came three days after an ugly 11-6, season-ending loss to the Dolphins in Miami. It capped a terrible offensive stretch to end the season for the Jets, which ultimately cost LaFleur his job after two years. The Jets (7-10) didn’t score a touchdown in their final three games and averaged 11 points per game over the six-game losing skid, which was only made worse by how well the Jets’ defense played for most of the season. Quarterback Zach Wilson led the Jets with six passing touchdowns, and rookie running back Breece Hall led with 463 rushing yards — and the injured Hall didn’t play after Week 7.

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Recently, Robert Saleh made it clear he felt LaFleur deserved a chance to stick around — 49ers fans called for Saleh to be fired after his second season as defensive coordinator in San Francisco, but he wasn’t — so it’s fair to wonder if owner Woody Johnson pushed the coach to move on from LaFleur. Ultimately, the Jets offense wasn’t good enough, though, and LaFleur paid the price.

Now, Saleh will likely seek to fill the role with a veteran coach with play-calling experience as he enters a 2023 season where anything short of making the playoffs won’t be good enough. The Jets want to develop Wilson into an NFL-caliber quarterback, though they will likely try bringing in a veteran quarterback to steer a moribund offense. Any offensive coordinator Saleh hires must understand that if things don’t turn around in 2023, Saleh and his staff might be looking for new jobs at this time next year.

So who are some candidates?

We came up with a list of 16 who make sense, listed in alphabetical order.

Darrell Bevell (Dolphins QBs coach/passing game coordinator): The 53-year-old has been the offensive coordinator for four teams, including the Seahawks when Saleh was on staff. This season, he’s worked with Mike McDaniel, who comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree, so the fit would be more seamless than some of the other veteran coaches on this list.

Tom Clements (Packers QBs coach): The 69-year-old has been the Bills and Packers offensive coordinator and would be coming from the staff of Matt LaFleur, one of Saleh’s closest friends.

Nathaniel Hackett (ex-Broncos head coach): He turned into an object of mockery, fired in less than one season in Denver. But before that he was a highly regarded offensive coordinator for the Packers — for Saleh’s friend Matt LaFleur. He also was the OC for the Jaguars from 2016-18, and Jacksonville’s QBs coach before that. He and Saleh were on the same staff in Jacksonville.

Pep Hamilton (Texans offensive coordinator): The 48-year-old ran a disjointed offense in Houston, though like LaFleur, he didn’t have much to work with at quarterback. He also was the offensive coordinator for the Colts in 2013-15 and has a reputation around the league for developing quarterbacks.

Brian Johnson (Eagles QBs coach): The 35-year old has only been an offensive coordinator at the college level (at Florida in 2020) but he’s considered a coach on the rise and played a major role in Jalen Hurts’ development into an MVP candidate.

Kliff Kingsbury (ex-Cardinals head coach): Once upon a time the Jets tried hiring him as head coach, so it’s conceivable Johnson might want to bring someone like him on board to help Saleh. Kingsbury will be paid by the Cardinals for a few more years, so he might not be in a rush to work.

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How the Cardinals’ season of misery led to the end of the Kliff Kingsbury experiment

Gary Kubiak (retired former head coach): The 61-year-old Kubiak announced his retirement in 2021 and he’s unlikely to come out of it to call plays again. But he gave Saleh his first NFL coaching job and would be an ideal candidate to come in as a senior offensive assistant to help get the offense back on track. He might be more willing to work again if the Jets hired the next candidate on this list. …

Klint Kubiak (Broncos passing game coordinator/QBs coach): Saleh never technically worked with Kubiak, Gary Kubiak’s son, but he certainly knows him well from the ties to his father. The Broncos will be hiring a new coaching staff so this Kubiak will likely be looking for work. He doesn’t have play-calling experience but could still come onto the staff in some capacity (passing game coordinator? QBs coach?) to help rebuild the offense.

Ben McAdoo (Panthers offensive coordinator): The Panthers might just keep interim head coach Steve Wilks on full time, which would mean McAdoo would likely stay with the Panthers. But if not, McAdoo deserves a lot of credit for developing Sam Darnold into a solid NFL quarterback and he has plenty of play-calling experience from Carolina and his days with the Giants.


Ron Middleton was the National Team head coach at the 2022 Senior Bowl. (Vasha Hunt / USA Today)

Ron Middleton (Jets tight ends coach): He’s a popular figure among Jets players — many often wear a shirt bearing his likeness and signature catchphrase: “Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die” — and won a lot of support when he led them to a win as the interim head coach when Saleh was out with COVID-19 in 2021. He’s never called plays before but he’d be supported by the locker room.

Matt Nagy (Chiefs senior assistant/QBs coach): Things went awry at the end of his tenure with the Bears but it’s easy to forget that Chicago won 12, eight and eight games in his first three years. Before that, he was the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs for two years and was one of the more sought-after coaching candidates when the Bears hired him.

Greg Olson (Rams senior offensive assistant): The 59-year-old has been an offensive coordinator for six teams and over the years has run a West Coast scheme. The Rams also might be hiring a new staff with Sean McVay potentially bolting for TV.

Kevin Patullo (Eagles passing game coordinator): The 41-year-old has never called plays but was the Jets QBs coach in 2015, when Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his best years. Patullo has played a key role in the rise of the Eagles offense under Nick Sirianni.

Frank Reich (ex-Colts head coach): The pipe dream for many Jets fans, but it’s really just that — a pipe dream. Reich seems more likely to get another head coaching job than to take the offensive coordinator job for a head coach he doesn’t have ties to (Saleh) in a playoffs-or-bust season, and in a different style offense than Reich runs. He fits the mold of what the Jets should be looking for — veteran coach, play-calling experience, history of developing quarterbacks — but it would be a surprise if he were a real candidate unless Johnson forces him on Saleh.

Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys coaching analyst): The 49-year-old spent the 2022 season on the Cowboys staff after one year with the Jaguars (passing game coordinator) and two as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. He was the Jets’ offensive coordinator once upon a time (2006-11), so he’s a familiar face in Florham Park. He was also the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2012-14.

Scott Turner (ex-Washington offensive coordinator): Turner, fired on Tuesday by the Commanders, spent the last three years calling plays for Washington.

(Top photo of Nathaniel Hackett and Robert Saleh: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)



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Jets offensive coordinator candidates: Nathaniel Hackett, Kliff Kingsbury and 14 others

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In November, Mike LaFleur was listed as a future head coaching candidate by NFL.com. By January, he was out as the Jets’ offensive coordinator.

The Jets and LaFleur on Wednesday mutually agreed to part ways, according to a team official not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.

The news came three days after an ugly 11-6, season-ending loss to the Dolphins in Miami. It capped a terrible offensive stretch to end the season for the Jets, which ultimately cost LaFleur his job after two years. The Jets (7-10) didn’t score a touchdown in their final three games and averaged 11 points per game over the six-game losing skid, which was only made worse by how well the Jets’ defense played for most of the season. Quarterback Zach Wilson led the Jets with six passing touchdowns, and rookie running back Breece Hall led with 463 rushing yards — and the injured Hall didn’t play after Week 7.

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Recently, Robert Saleh made it clear he felt LaFleur deserved a chance to stick around — 49ers fans called for Saleh to be fired after his second season as defensive coordinator in San Francisco, but he wasn’t — so it’s fair to wonder if owner Woody Johnson pushed the coach to move on from LaFleur. Ultimately, the Jets offense wasn’t good enough, though, and LaFleur paid the price.

Now, Saleh will likely seek to fill the role with a veteran coach with play-calling experience as he enters a 2023 season where anything short of making the playoffs won’t be good enough. The Jets want to develop Wilson into an NFL-caliber quarterback, though they will likely try bringing in a veteran quarterback to steer a moribund offense. Any offensive coordinator Saleh hires must understand that if things don’t turn around in 2023, Saleh and his staff might be looking for new jobs at this time next year.

So who are some candidates?

We came up with a list of 16 who make sense, listed in alphabetical order.

Darrell Bevell (Dolphins QBs coach/passing game coordinator): The 53-year-old has been the offensive coordinator for four teams, including the Seahawks when Saleh was on staff. This season, he’s worked with Mike McDaniel, who comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree, so the fit would be more seamless than some of the other veteran coaches on this list.

Tom Clements (Packers QBs coach): The 69-year-old has been the Bills and Packers offensive coordinator and would be coming from the staff of Matt LaFleur, one of Saleh’s closest friends.

Nathaniel Hackett (ex-Broncos head coach): He turned into an object of mockery, fired in less than one season in Denver. But before that he was a highly regarded offensive coordinator for the Packers — for Saleh’s friend Matt LaFleur. He also was the OC for the Jaguars from 2016-18, and Jacksonville’s QBs coach before that. He and Saleh were on the same staff in Jacksonville.

Pep Hamilton (Texans offensive coordinator): The 48-year-old ran a disjointed offense in Houston, though like LaFleur, he didn’t have much to work with at quarterback. He also was the offensive coordinator for the Colts in 2013-15 and has a reputation around the league for developing quarterbacks.

Brian Johnson (Eagles QBs coach): The 35-year old has only been an offensive coordinator at the college level (at Florida in 2020) but he’s considered a coach on the rise and played a major role in Jalen Hurts’ development into an MVP candidate.

Kliff Kingsbury (ex-Cardinals head coach): Once upon a time the Jets tried hiring him as head coach, so it’s conceivable Johnson might want to bring someone like him on board to help Saleh. Kingsbury will be paid by the Cardinals for a few more years, so he might not be in a rush to work.

GO DEEPER

How the Cardinals’ season of misery led to the end of the Kliff Kingsbury experiment

Gary Kubiak (retired former head coach): The 61-year-old Kubiak announced his retirement in 2021 and he’s unlikely to come out of it to call plays again. But he gave Saleh his first NFL coaching job and would be an ideal candidate to come in as a senior offensive assistant to help get the offense back on track. He might be more willing to work again if the Jets hired the next candidate on this list. …

Klint Kubiak (Broncos passing game coordinator/QBs coach): Saleh never technically worked with Kubiak, Gary Kubiak’s son, but he certainly knows him well from the ties to his father. The Broncos will be hiring a new coaching staff so this Kubiak will likely be looking for work. He doesn’t have play-calling experience but could still come onto the staff in some capacity (passing game coordinator? QBs coach?) to help rebuild the offense.

Ben McAdoo (Panthers offensive coordinator): The Panthers might just keep interim head coach Steve Wilks on full time, which would mean McAdoo would likely stay with the Panthers. But if not, McAdoo deserves a lot of credit for developing Sam Darnold into a solid NFL quarterback and he has plenty of play-calling experience from Carolina and his days with the Giants.


Ron Middleton was the National Team head coach at the 2022 Senior Bowl. (Vasha Hunt / USA Today)

Ron Middleton (Jets tight ends coach): He’s a popular figure among Jets players — many often wear a shirt bearing his likeness and signature catchphrase: “Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die” — and won a lot of support when he led them to a win as the interim head coach when Saleh was out with COVID-19 in 2021. He’s never called plays before but he’d be supported by the locker room.

Matt Nagy (Chiefs senior assistant/QBs coach): Things went awry at the end of his tenure with the Bears but it’s easy to forget that Chicago won 12, eight and eight games in his first three years. Before that, he was the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs for two years and was one of the more sought-after coaching candidates when the Bears hired him.

Greg Olson (Rams senior offensive assistant): The 59-year-old has been an offensive coordinator for six teams and over the years has run a West Coast scheme. The Rams also might be hiring a new staff with Sean McVay potentially bolting for TV.

Kevin Patullo (Eagles passing game coordinator): The 41-year-old has never called plays but was the Jets QBs coach in 2015, when Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his best years. Patullo has played a key role in the rise of the Eagles offense under Nick Sirianni.

Frank Reich (ex-Colts head coach): The pipe dream for many Jets fans, but it’s really just that — a pipe dream. Reich seems more likely to get another head coaching job than to take the offensive coordinator job for a head coach he doesn’t have ties to (Saleh) in a playoffs-or-bust season, and in a different style offense than Reich runs. He fits the mold of what the Jets should be looking for — veteran coach, play-calling experience, history of developing quarterbacks — but it would be a surprise if he were a real candidate unless Johnson forces him on Saleh.

Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys coaching analyst): The 49-year-old spent the 2022 season on the Cowboys staff after one year with the Jaguars (passing game coordinator) and two as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. He was the Jets’ offensive coordinator once upon a time (2006-11), so he’s a familiar face in Florham Park. He was also the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2012-14.

Scott Turner (ex-Washington offensive coordinator): Turner, fired on Tuesday by the Commanders, spent the last three years calling plays for Washington.

(Top photo of Nathaniel Hackett and Robert Saleh: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)



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Mike LaFleur, Jets part ways after two seasons

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For the second time in three years, the Jets will conduct a search for an offensive coordinator.

The team and Mike LaFleur have parted ways after two seasons together, according to The Post’s Brian Costello. New York — allowing LaFleur to pursue other opportunities — will start its process Thursday.

It was a rocky year for the Jets and their offense, a unit that sputtered throughout the year amid injuries and inconsistencies to Zach Wilson and Mike White. Joe Flacco started four games, including the season-finale.

New York’s offense didn’t score a touchdown in the final three games, losing to Jacksonville, Seattle and Miami. Its 17.4 points-per-game average was the fourth-lowest in the NFL.

After hiring Robert Saleh, the head coach brought LaFleur with him from the 49ers, where he previously served as San Francisco’s passing game coordinator. New York then drafted Zach Wilson out of BYU with the No. 2 pick and positioned him as its quarterback of the future.

But the Jets finished just 4-13 in 2021, as Wilson missed time with a PCL injury.

The Jets and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur have parted ways.
Bill Kostroun

The Jets finished 7-10 in 2022 — closing the year on a six-game losing streak and dropping seven of their final eight games — and their offense sputtered behind quarterback inconsistencies and a season-ending injury to rookie running back Breece Hall. They benched Wilson, lost White to an injury and had to start Wilson again anyway.



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Zach Wilson: New York Jets quarterback booed off during defeat by Jacksonville Jaguars

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CNN
 — 

Quarterback Zach Wilson endured a torrid night before eventually being benched as the New York ​​Jets were beaten 19-3 by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday.

Wilson was booed at different points throughout the game before being replaced by Chris Streveler in the third quarter after completing just nine of 18 passes for 92 yards.

“I don’t blame them,” Wilson told reporters when asked about fans booing. We have a passionate fan base, and they’re here to watch us score touchdowns.

“We’re not scoring touchdowns, we’re not getting first downs, we’re not moving the ball and, obviously, we can’t throw the ball. Of course they’re going to be frustrated.”

As the rain poured down on a rainy night at the MetLife Stadium, Wilson looked out of sorts as the Jets slumped to a fourth successive defeat – another major blow to the franchise’s playoff hopes.

The No. 2 overall draft pick in 2021, Wilson has struggled for form during his two seasons at the Jets.

“I just felt like I didn’t have any rhythm out there,” added Wilson. “I was just trying to find some confidence out there on the field, just find something to get us going – a little spark. I couldn’t get anything there.”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh decided to replace Wilson with Streveler who had been elevated from the practice squad for Thursday’s game.

Streveler provided some moments of hope on his season debut, completing 10 of 15 passes for 90 yards.

“Obviously I know Zach was struggling, but Streveler came in, ran a couple of plays, sparked the offense, got the explosive play, and so it just snowballed in a good way, so we wanted to give him the opportunity to finish the drive,” Saleh told reporters.

“We haven’t seen the last of [Wilson]. But right now he’s just got to focus on finding ways to get better, and we’ve got to find ways to help him.

“It’s not just him, it’s collective, and we’ve all got to find ways to get better.”

While the Jets are left licking their wounds, the Jaguars can celebrate their third straight victory as they continued their late-season surge.

Quarterback Tom Lawrance, the No.1 overall pick in last year’s draft, completed 20 of his 31 passes for 229 yards and leaped in for the only touchdown of the game.

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Jaguars To Trade RB James Robinson To Jets

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Hours after learning Breece Hall will be lost for the season, the Jets are making a move to replace him. They are trading for Jaguars running back James Robinson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

The Jaguars’ rushing leader in 2020 and 2021, Robinson has seen his role reduced due to the rise of 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne. Robinson will be set to team with 2021 draftee Michael Carter for a 5-2 Jets team. The Jags will acquire a conditional sixth-rounder from the Jets, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adding (via Twitter) the pick could become a fifth.

This news comes after Doug Pederson said Robinson was dealing with knee soreness. The Jets will bet on the UDFA success story, despite the Division I-FCS product being less than a year removed from an Achilles tear. Robinson, however, has bounced back from that severe injury. He has amassed 340 rushing yards on 81 carries this season, scoring three touchdowns.

In Robinson, the Jets are acquiring a player who set an NFL record for the most rookie-year scrimmage yards (1,414) accumulated by a UDFA. Robinson did that in just 14 games two seasons ago, being shut down for Jacksonville’s final two contests. After Etienne went down with a Lisfranc injury during the 2021 preseason, Robinson rushed for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. While the December Achilles tear ended Robinson’s second season on a sour note, he still saw his yards-per-carry figure increase from his rookie year (4.5 to 4.7). He is at 4.2 this season.

As a former UDFA, Robinson can be extended at any point. But he can also be kept in 2023 on an RFA tender. This gives the Jets options. For now, however, he stands to join Carter in the team’s post-Hall backfield.

A 2021 fourth-round pick, Carter is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Carter began the year with a bigger role, but as Hall progressed in Mike LaFleur‘s offense, the North Carolina product became a clear backup option. It will be interesting to see how the Jets deploy Robinson and Carter, but the former has proven far more as an NFLer to this point.

Jacksonville is now committed to Etienne. The Jags played Robinson on just 12 snaps in Week 7, signaling a changing of the guard. The team took Etienne during Urban Meyer‘s one year running the show, doing so after Meyer surprisingly lamented Kadarius Toney being picked just before Etienne became the team’s choice. Etienne is signed through 2024 but can be controlled through 2025 via the fifth-year option. Trevor Lawrence‘s versatile Clemson teammate, Etienne has progressed in his first NFL games. He has totaled 566 scrimmage yards in seven games, scoring his first touchdown as a pro Sunday.



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Jets’ Elijah Moore won’t play vs. Broncos after trade demand

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Frustrated New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore, who requested a trade Thursday after being sent home following a blow-up with a coach, returned to the team’s facility Friday but will be inactive Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

“To ask him to play a football game with where he is from a mental standpoint wouldn’t be fair to him, in my opinion,” coach Robert Saleh told reporters. “But that’s strictly my decision.”

Saleh said the Jets won’t grant Moore’s trade request, saying they hope to work out their differences once the second-year receiver rejoins the team. He was excused from meetings and practice Friday and won’t make the trip to Denver. He will remain in New Jersey, working out with the conditioning staff as if he were injured.

“It’s part of what we deal with every day,” Saleh said. “We’ve had our discussions with Elijah. Trading him is not an option. We’ll just continue working with him.”

The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 1.

Saleh, who said Thursday that Moore was given a personal day to deal with a family matter, confirmed reports that Moore was told to leave the facility before practice due to a disagreement with the coaches.

A source told ESPN that it was a heated exchange with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

“Like everything, it gets to a boiling point,” Saleh said Friday. “He showed displeasure. It was one of those deals where it was just best for him to just relax, calm down, take a day, catch your breath and we’ll reconvene at another time.”

The controversy comes at an odd time because the Jets (4-2), winners of three straight, have their best start since 2015. But Moore, a 2021 second-round pick who showed promise as a rookie, is upset about his usage. An every-down player, he’s sixth on the team in receptions (16) and fifth in targets (28).

Moore went public with his feelings Sunday after the Jets upset the Green Bay Packers — a game in which he had no official targets. He tweeted, “I don’t understand” about why he wasn’t a bigger part of the offense.

Referring to the tweet, Saleh issued a mild public rebuke Monday, saying “mistakes happen.” He defended Moore’s character, and did so again Friday, downplaying the repercussions of the trade request and the perception that Moore is a selfish player.

Saleh chalked it up to Moore’s competitiveness, calling it an “admirable” trait.

“He wants more,” Saleh said. “That doesn’t make him selfish. In my mind, it makes him a competitor.”

To replace Moore on Sunday, the Jets will activate wide receiver Denzel Mims for the first time. Mims, a 2020 second-round pick who requested a trade in the preseason, was a healthy scratch for the first six games. Mims and Jeff Smith likely will share Moore’s reps in the game.

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