Nathaniel Hackett is back in the AFC East, and while his title may be different, the questions around him remain very much the same.
After a rocky stint as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator - one that began with sky-high expectations and ended with a bottom-tier offense - Hackett has resurfaced in Miami. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has brought Hackett aboard as the team’s new quarterbacks coach, a move that reunites the two after they spent time together on Green Bay’s staff in 2025.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Hackett was hired by the Jets in 2023, largely to help lure Aaron Rodgers to New York.
The two had built a strong rapport during their time in Green Bay, and the idea was that Hackett could help Rodgers hit the ground running in his new home. But that plan unraveled almost immediately.
Rodgers tore his Achilles just a handful of snaps into his Jets debut, and the offense never found its footing from that point forward.
Rodgers returned in 2024, but the reunion with Hackett didn’t produce the fireworks many had hoped for. The Jets’ offense finished 24th in both yards (310.3 per game) and points (19.9 per game), a far cry from the efficient, creative attack fans envisioned when the pairing was announced. By season’s end, Rodgers was released and the entire coaching staff - Hackett included - was shown the door.
Hackett spent 2025 back in Green Bay, this time in a less familiar role: defensive analyst. It was a curious position for a coach with a long-standing offensive background, but it did put him in the same building as Hafley, who served as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. That connection helped pave the way for Hackett’s next move.
Now, in Miami, Hackett steps into another challenging situation. The Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa during the 2025 season, and there’s a strong chance they’ll be moving in a new direction at quarterback. That means Hackett could be tasked with developing a young signal-caller or helping a veteran acclimate to a new system - either way, the pressure is on.
For Jets fans, Hackett’s return to the division might raise a few eyebrows, but it’s unlikely to strike fear. His offense in New York never found rhythm, and while the circumstances were far from ideal, the results were hard to defend.
That said, this is a fresh start in a different role. As quarterbacks coach, Hackett won’t be calling plays or designing the full offensive scheme - his focus will be more narrowly tailored to developing the Dolphins’ QB room.
Still, it’s a fascinating subplot in what’s shaping up to be an intriguing offseason in the AFC East. Hackett’s back, and while the spotlight won’t be as bright as it was in New York, the expectations - and scrutiny - will follow him to Miami.