A lot happened at the Jets on Tuesday. But in the end, a lesson seems to be obvious: don't touch Nathaniel Hackett.
Over the hours, the American media reconstructed the day that led to the dismissal of Robert Saleh. A disturbing sequence to say the least.
According to Pro Football Talk, which says it has had confirmation from several sources, Robert Saleh showed up for work Tuesday morning. In a meeting, he informed the coaches that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would no longer be in charge of offensive play calls. Todd Downing, the passing game coordinator, was expected to take over the play calls.
A little later, owner Woody Johnson came to Saleh in his office to fire him. The dismissed coach has since assured FOX Sports that he was completely taken by surprise. He was even escorted out by Jets security!
Nathaniel Hackett in the crosshairs… then untouchable?
Nathaniel Hackett arrived in New York last year, supposedly to help bring in Aaron Rodgers. Last year, the Jets finished 31st in yards gained and 29th in points scored. This year, after five games, they are 27th in yards and 25th in points.
Robert Saleh therefore had arguments to attempt a change. And not just in recent days. According to SNY, in the offseason, the Jets tried to hire someone who they would have placed above Hackett in the organizational chart, to strip him of the responsibility of calling offensive plays. Even if it came to nothing, there were already doubts about his ability to lead the attack. Aaron Rodgers publicly showed his support for his offensive coordinator.
But on Tuesday, the dismissal of Robert Saleh also reversed his decision. Hackett remains the offensive coordinator, and above all he seems to keep control of the play calls. For the moment anyway.
“We are going to take a serious look at this in the next 36 hours and look at all the possibilities,” explained Jeff Ulbrich, the interim coach, during his first press briefing. “I don’t necessarily see changes in titles and positions. In terms of responsibilities and the process itself, we will take a serious look. »
The Hackett case will therefore be a first test of the authority and autonomy that Ulbrich has – or not – in the locker room.
According to ESPN, the Jets have no intention of parting ways with Nathaniel Hackett. We will therefore have to see if he will be politely put aside or if he will keep his hand.
Aaron Rodgers would not have had a say
Behind the status of Nathaniel Hackett, looms the shadow of Aaron Rodgers. Obviously, there is no question for management to say that the quarterback would have had any role to play in Tuesday's events.
In a conference call with several American media, owner Woody Johnson explained that he spoke to Rodgers on Monday, but assured that the discussion did not mention Saleh.
Above all, Johnson assured that the star quarterback did not have the slightest influence on the decision to fire the coach.
Rodgers is scheduled to appear on ESPN this Wednesday. But nothing will force him to be honest.
