Jets hire former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett

In search of an offensive coordinator, the New York Jets have hired former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator and Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, according to Tom Pelissero.

Now, why does this news apply to the Packers? Well, I’m sure everyone can make the connection, but I’ll give you 12 reasons.

The Packers had a trio of 13-3 seasons while Hackett was the offensive coordinator — although Matt LaFleur was the play caller — and he formed a very tight relationship along the way with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during his time here. In fact, as I’m sure you already know, many speculated that one of the reasons that Hackett was hired in Denver was to lure Rodgers out west. So, of course, now the speculation is that the Jets are doing the same.

"”Hack has been a really important part of our culture change,” said Rodgers in 2020. “And apart of our success on offense. I love him. I hope he doesn’t go anywhere—unless I do,” added Rodgers with a smile."

Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke to reporters on Thursday about the hiring and said that he chose Hackett because of his ability to develop players and that he’s worked with a variety of quarterbacks. When asked if this hiring had anything to do with hopefully landing Rodgers, Saleh, of course, said no, but did add that the team did want to add a veteran quarterback to the mix this offseason–so take that as you will.

Connor Hughes of SNYtv also made an interesting point, stating that many around the NFL thought that Hackett would take the 2023 season off with how poorly things went in Denver, and that even more criticism will follow if his new offense doesn’t perform at a high level. So with that in consideration, Hughes wonders whether Hackett would actually agree to a new coaching job without having an idea of what the quarterback situation was going to look like. Again, do with that information what you will.

During his latest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers made it clear that he has not yet decided on what his future holds and that retirement is still an option for him. Unlike in 2021 however, he did sound more at peace with the idea of being traded if that is the route he and the Packers decide to go.

"“If they feel like it was in the best interests of the team to move forward, so be it,” Rodgers said via Packers Wire. “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.”"

Joining the Jets is one of the more logical destinations for Rodgers, given that they are in need of a quarterback but otherwise have a well-put-together roster with playmakers on both sides of the football. The newest addition of Hackett to the coaching staff could also help tilt the odds in their favor.

Trading Rodgers prior to June 1st comes with a massive dead cap hit of roughly $40 million for the Packers. However, that would give them additional draft capital for the 2023 draft. The alternative is to trade him after June 1st, which spreads that dead cap hit out over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but they wouldn’t receive any draft compensation until next year.

As far as what the Packers would receive in return for trading Rodgers, at least one first-round pick feels like a certainty, but after that is when things could be up in the air. While he is still Aaron Rodgers, he is coming off a down season and could choose to retire after the 2023 season, which may hurt his trade value. Are the Jets — or any other team — willing to send a second first-round pick to Green Bay for potentially just one season of Rodgers that may not be at an MVP level? Perhaps instead, it would be a Day 2 pick or a conditional first-round pick for 2024 if Rodgers decides to play. Or maybe the Packers have a player in mind that they’d want in return.

To state the obvious, all of this is just conjecture at this point, but as the old saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. And based on recent reports, the Packers trading Rodgers does look increasingly likely.