Jets demote OC Nathaniel Hackett, strip him of play-calling duties under new interim head coach

More changes are afoot for the New York Jets. New interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would no longer be the team’s gameday play-caller. Replacing Hackett as play-caller will be Todd Downing, the team’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

Ulbrich replaced Robert Saleh, who was fired earlier this week. During Thursday’s announcement, Ulbrich said that quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is close to Hackett after spending years working with him on the Green Bay Packers, understood and supported the decision to promote Downing and demote Hackett.

Hackett’s position on the Jets staff was already tenuous before Saleh was fired. According to CBS Sports, Saleh was seriously considering firing Hackett the day before owner Woody Johnson cut Saleh loose. Saleh reportedly would have replaced Hackett with Downing (which is exactly what Ulbrich did).

Ulbrich said he will continue to call plays for the defense.

The Jets are 2-3 this season and have struggled tremendously on offense. Downing will get his first shot as play-caller Monday night, when the Jets face the Buffalo Bills at 8:15 p.m. ET.