The New York Jets may still be sorting out their offensive coordinator situation-one that’s been messy, to say the least-but they’re not the only AFC East team making eyebrow-raising moves. Down in Miami, the Dolphins just made a series of coaching hires that could leave their offense in an even more precarious spot heading into 2026.
The Dolphins' decision to bring in Jeff Hafley, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, as their new head coach raised some questions right out of the gate. Hafley’s background is rooted in defense, and while that’s not inherently a problem, it does put a spotlight on who he’s bringing in to run the offense-especially with Tua Tagovailoa’s future still uncertain.
And here’s where things get interesting.
Miami tapped Bobby Slowik as their new offensive coordinator. Slowik comes over from the Houston Texans, where his time calling plays had its ups and downs.
He showed flashes of innovation, but consistency remained elusive. It’s a gamble, hoping he can elevate a Dolphins offense that, at its best, is explosive-but at its worst, has looked disjointed and overly reliant on a few key playmakers.
But the real shocker? Nathaniel Hackett is back in the AFC East-this time as the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach.
Yes, that Nathaniel Hackett.
Jets fans don’t need a refresher, but let’s give one anyway. Hackett’s tenure as New York’s offensive coordinator was, frankly, brutal.
Over two seasons, the Jets ranked 29th and 24th in points per game. He oversaw a sputtering offense under Zach Wilson and couldn’t get things going even with Aaron Rodgers in the fold.
The offense lacked rhythm, creativity, and, most importantly, results.
His connection to Rodgers complicated things in New York. Despite the struggles, Hackett remained on staff, ultimately being stripped of play-calling duties in favor of Todd Downing. By the end of his time with the Jets, Hackett had become a symbol of the team’s offensive dysfunction.
After being let go, Hackett didn’t land another on-field coaching job. Instead, he spent last season in a nebulous analyst role with the Packers-a far cry from the front-line responsibility of coaching quarterbacks in the NFL.
Now, he’s back on the sidelines, tasked with helping guide the Dolphins’ quarterback room-whether that’s Tua or someone else. And if Jets fans are chuckling at the move, it’s understandable. They’ve seen what Hackett’s influence on a passing game can look like, and it wasn’t pretty.
To be fair, Hackett’s role in Miami may end up being more symbolic than substantial. If Slowik takes full control of the offense, Hackett could be more of a supporting piece than a driving force. But even in a limited role, his presence raises questions about the direction of the Dolphins’ offensive identity.
For a team that’s been knocking on the door of contention, these hires feel like a roll of the dice. Hafley’s a defensive-minded head coach stepping into a league dominated by offensive innovation.
His top offensive hire is a coordinator with a mixed track record. And his quarterbacks coach is coming off one of the roughest two-year stretches in recent memory.
Meanwhile, the Jets-chaotic as their coordinator search may be-might just end up with a more promising offensive staff than their rivals in Miami. In a division where every edge matters, that’s not nothing.
The Dolphins are betting on a fresh start. But with Hackett back in the mix, they’re also betting that past struggles won’t follow him to South Beach. Time will tell if that’s a risk worth taking.