The Miami Dolphins are back in the market for a quarterbacks coach.
Just days after reports strongly linked Nathaniel Hackett to the job in Miami, it turns out he’s heading west instead. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Hackett is joining the Arizona Cardinals as their new offensive coordinator-a notable pivot that leaves the Dolphins searching for answers at a key position on their coaching staff.
Hackett’s move comes after what appeared to be a near lock for a role in Miami. He was widely expected to join head coach Jeff Hafley’s staff as the quarterbacks coach, but the deal was never officially inked. That left the door open, and Arizona stepped through it with a bigger offer: a coordinator title under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Now, let’s be clear-Hackett won’t be calling plays in Arizona. That responsibility will likely fall to LaFleur.
But Hackett’s role will still carry more weight than what he would’ve had in Miami. As offensive coordinator, he’ll have a broader influence on scheme, game planning, and quarterback development-critical areas for a Cardinals team trying to find its identity during a rebuild.
For Hackett, this is another chapter in a coaching career that spans two decades across both college and pro football. He’s worked on both sides of the ball, most recently serving as a defensive analyst for the Green Bay Packers.
That’s where he crossed paths with Hafley, who was also on Green Bay’s staff. Their connection seemed to be a driving force behind Hackett’s potential move to Miami, but ultimately, opportunity knocked louder in Arizona.
As for the Dolphins, the timing isn’t ideal. With Hafley settling into his first offseason as Miami’s head coach and Bobby Slowik running the offense, bringing in the right quarterbacks coach is crucial-not just for continuity, but for maximizing the talent already in the building.
The Dolphins have a high-powered offense and a quarterback entering a pivotal stage in his development. Whoever fills this role will play a key part in shaping what the next version of this Miami offense looks like.
In a league where coaching movement is constant and timing is everything, the Dolphins now have a critical hire to make. The Hackett detour may have thrown a wrench into the plan, but the search continues-and the stakes are high.