New York Jets fans are rejoicing at the possibility they could be aligning themselves for an Aaron Rodgers trade. The team announced that they are hiring Nathaniel Hackett for their OC role. This news should scare the s*** out of Jets fans based on 2022, but that’s not the reaction. Hackett was horrible at Denver in 2022. In fact, he was beyond horrible. There’s horrible coaching, 50-feet of crap, and then there’s Hackett the head coach. As an OC Hackett has had a ton of success… with Aaron Rodgers. And Rodgers had some of his best seasons (individually) under Hackett. We know there are coaches in the NFL who make better coordinators than head coaches. Nathaniel Hackett is clearly one of those guys.
Hackett the OC
Hackett has been an OC with three different teams: Bills, Jaguars, and Packers. All with varying success. His 2 years in Buffalo were not good with the offense not holding up their end. He was fired after just two seasons. He was in charge of the offense in Jacksonville when Blake Bortles led the team to the AFC Championship Game in 2017. However he was fired after 11 games in his second season calling plays after a 3-8 start. Green Bay is where he had his most success. His first season in charge (2020) of the offense saw Aaron Rodgers put up the best passing stats of his career. 2021 wasn’t too bad either with Green Bay making it to the NFC Championship Game.
Jets hiring Hackett
The Jets hiring Hackett gives them a clear advantage should they kick the tires on a Aaron Rodgers trade this offseason. The two have a good relationship on and off the field. Jets fans should be excited at the idea of pairing Hackett and Rodgers together. And if the Jets were to pull off a move for Rodgers, the AFC quarterback field will be even more loaded that what it already is. Take a look at some of these names who could be under center in the AFC in 2023.
Patrick Mahomes- Kansas City Chiefs
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One of, if not the best in the league.
Joe Burrow- Cincinnati Bengals
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Quickly putting his stamp on the NFL. The Joe Burrow era Bengals have as many post season wins as the entire rest of the Bengals history.
Josh Allen- Buffalo Bills
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Had a tough loss to the Bengals. As long as 17 is under center in Buffalo, they will be at the top of the AFC.
Lamar Jackson- Baltimore Ravens
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A lot of questions around Lamar’s future in Baltimore. I think at worst he will be back with the Ravens next season on the franchise tag.
Justin Herbert- Los Angeles Chargers
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Surprised they are sticking with Brandon Staley for another season. When Herbert had his full compliment of weapons this season he was very good. He has the talent to be in the conversation with Mahomes, Burrow, and Allen.
Trevor Lawrence- Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jags got their guy for the future. We finally saw the potential of Trevor Lawrence in the second half of the 2022 season. The Jags add Calvin Ridley to the offense next season too.
Tua Tagovailoa- Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins started off 2022 as one of the biggest stories in the NFL. That changed after an 0-6 stretch at the end of the season. The GM and coach say Tua will be back for 2023. But with some big names on the trade block or hitting free agency, it wouldn’t surprise me to see some competition brought in for the starting job.
Mac Jones- New England Patriots
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What a Sophomore slump that was, right? As a rookie Mac looked very good. In 2022 not so much. The Pats fixed their OC already, moving on from Matt Patricia and bringing back Bill O’Brien. This should put Mac back on the right track.
Kenny Pickett- Pittsburgh Steelers
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He was better as a rookie than I thought he would be. The Steelers need to fix the line blocking in front of him, but he looks like he has the skill set to perform at a high level in the NFL.
Deshaun Watson- Cleveland Browns
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Let’s see if he can regain his Houston form with a full offseason with a team and no suspension looming.
Russell Wilson- Denver Broncos
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The biggest disappointment in 2022: Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense. Hackett deserves a ton of blame for that. Once Hackett was fired, the offense started looking competent. I expect the Broncos to be one of the most improved teams in the league next year.
Tom Brady- Las Vegas Raiders
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This is one of the easiest connections to make. Brady and McDaniels worked together for many years in New England. The Raiders have weapons to give Brady options in the passing game. If Brady want to come back this is one of the better landing spots for him.
CJ Stroud- Houston Texans
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the Texans hold the #2 pick in the draft. Chicago is ahead of them, and not in the market for a quarterback. Stroud is big, has a big arm, and has the pedigree of a potential star in the league.
Bryce Young- Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts are picking at #4 and are in big time need of a long term answer at quarterback. They can’t keep going to the well with Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, or Phillip Rivers. This would make a ton of sense.
Aaron Rodgers- New York Jets
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I’ve laid out the connection between new Jets OC and Aaron Rodgers. The Jets have a young team that is ready to win now. They should move heaven and earth to get AR12 to the Big Apple.
Ryan Tannehill- Tennessee Titans
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I don’t know if the Titans bring Tannehill back as a starter or try to trade for another guy. Derek Carr and trey Lance make the most sense. Whatever they do, I don’t think they can have just Tannehill and Malik Willis at Qb when training camp opens in Summer of 2023.
