Jeff Ulbrich is mere days into his new role as Jets interim head coach, but he’s already made a significant change.
Todd Downing will take over play-calling duties for New York’s offense, Ulbrich told reporters on Thursday, while Nathaniel Hackett will remain offensive coordinator.
“This is more a byproduct of [seeking] a different take on things,” Ulbrich explained Thursday. “I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means, but just a different take on things, a fresh approach. So ultimately, Todd will have the full say on the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game.”
Hackett, of course, is closely tied to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said Wednesday the Jets needed to make changes “regardless of what happened to Robert (Saleh)” and admitted “we just haven’t been playing consistent football on offense.” Ulbrich provided him with a change that the quarterback supported, according to the interim coach.
“It was obviously not necessarily a shock, but we all are familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said of Rodgers. “They’re very, very good friends. They go back a long ways. He understood the decision, and he was supportive of the decision. I’m fortunate for that.”
Rodgers told reporters later Thursday that he had an indication that a change in play-callers was a probability.
“I knew there’d be changes after they let Robert go,” Rodgers said. “Had conversations with (Ulbrich) over the two days. I knew that he was thinking about it, learning toward it, and I told him I’d back him up whatever he decided.”
Rodgers and Hackett haven’t produced at the level most expected from them through five weeks. Save for their dominant showing over the lowly Patriots in Week 3, most everything has been challenging for Rodgers and the Jets offense, and with Hackett failing to cook up favorable schemes, Ulbrich decided now was the time to turn to his quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for a fresh take on the offense.
The change might feel eerily similar to one made in Philadelphia last season in which Nick Sirianni replaced defensive coordinator Sean Desai with Matt Patricia in role, but not in title. Desai ended up in the booth, while Patricia took over defensive play-calling duties in Week 15 of the 2023 season, and unfortunately for those Eagles, the change didn’t produce the desired improvement.
The stakes are different in New York, though. Rodgers is 40 years old and has brought a sense of urgency to the Jets that was extreme enough to prompt owner Woody Johnson to fire Saleh after the 2-3 start. Judging by the tone of Ulbrich’s statements Thursday, his decision seemed to be the only way to preserve Hackett’s job.
“Saying that as well, just another testament to the human being that Nathaniel Hackett is, the fact that he’s going to give us everything in his body and heart and soul, and he’s going to continue to be a big part of the success we’re gonna have going forward from an offensive perspective,” Ulbrich said. “I feel so fortunate that he’s staying with us.”
Ulbrich added Hackett is “still going to be a huge contributor to everything we do on offense,” and Rodgers later said that Hackett remaining with the Jets speaks to who he is as a person.
“I love Nathaniel. He’s one of my dearest friends in the league,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, a tough situation. But I think it speaks volumes to the character that he has that he wants to stick around. Be here for me, be here for Todd — support Todd. It’s a credit to the man that he is.”
It is clear, though, that immediate results will matter more in this case than in others because the clock is ticking on the Rodgers-led Jets.
As for the remaining fallout from Saleh’s firing, Ulbrich said he will “maintain the title of defensive coordinator” and “will maintain the play-calling duties.”
Now that that’s settled, all there is left to do is produce. Their journey resumes with a Monday night showdown with the division-rival Bills.
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