The Miami Dolphins are bringing in a familiar NFL name to bolster their offensive staff, hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their new quarterbacks coach. Hackett will work under newly appointed offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, helping guide Miami’s signal-callers heading into the 2026 season.
For Hackett, this move marks a return to his roots - working directly with quarterbacks, where he’s had some of his most consistent success. After a few turbulent years in bigger roles, this shift could be exactly what he needs to reset and refocus.
Hackett’s coaching journey has spanned more than two decades, starting at the college level before making the jump to the NFL in the early 2000s. He’s worn plenty of hats along the way - from offensive assistant to coordinator to head coach - and he’s had a hand in shaping some high-powered offenses, particularly during his time with the Green Bay Packers under Matt LaFleur. That stretch, where he helped orchestrate an MVP-caliber run for Aaron Rodgers, earned him the top job in Denver in 2022.
But that head coaching stint with the Broncos? It unraveled fast.
After Denver made a blockbuster move to acquire Russell Wilson from Seattle, expectations were sky-high. Instead, the offense sputtered, the team stumbled to a 5-12 finish, and Hackett didn’t even make it through the full season - he was let go after a blowout loss on Christmas Day to the Rams. It was a rough landing for a coach who came in with big expectations.
Still, Hackett landed on his feet in 2023, reuniting with Rodgers in New York as the Jets’ offensive coordinator. But that reunion didn’t go as planned either.
The Jets finished dead last in offensive efficiency that season, according to Sumer Sports’ EPA/play metric. And while the offense showed some improvement in 2024, Hackett was relieved of playcalling duties midway through the year, with Todd Downing stepping in to take over.
In 2025, Hackett took a different path, serving as a defensive analyst with the Packers - an unusual move for a coach with a deep offensive background. But it may have been a strategic one.
During that time, he worked alongside Jeff Hafley, who’s now part of Miami’s staff. That connection likely played a role in bringing Hackett to South Florida.
Now, in Miami, Hackett gets a fresh start in a more focused role. With Slowik overseeing the offense, Hackett’s job will be to get the most out of the Dolphins’ quarterback room - whoever ends up leading it in 2026. It’s a chance for him to lean into what he does best: working closely with quarterbacks, developing timing, rhythm, and decision-making.
For the Dolphins, it’s a calculated move. Hackett brings experience, familiarity with multiple offensive systems, and a track record - albeit inconsistent - of working with high-profile quarterbacks. If he can help stabilize and elevate Miami’s QB play, this hire could quietly become one of the more impactful moves of the offseason.