In a surprising twist this offseason, Nathaniel Hackett, the former offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, has found a new role. He's now teamed up with Mike LaFleur, another ex-Jets offensive coordinator, who is the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. This reunion of sorts is sure to raise a few eyebrows among Jets fans, especially given the history.
In his introductory press conference, LaFleur had some intriguing words about his new offensive coordinator. He praised Hackett as "very successful" and emphasized his desire to have him on board, stating, "I wanted him and nobody else."
Now, while Hackett's tenure with the Jets was anything but a success, his time with the Green Bay Packers tells a different story. During his stint there, the team was a consistent playoff contender, and Aaron Rodgers snagged two MVP awards. However, it's worth noting that Hackett was more of a figurehead, with Matt LaFleur calling the shots on offense.
Hackett's journey took a downturn with the Denver Broncos, where he didn't even complete a full season as head coach. His time with the Jets was rocky, with the offense ranking last in efficiency in 2023 and only improving to 17th in 2024 after he lost play-calling duties to Todd Downing.
For the Cardinals, if LaFleur takes the reins on play-calling and allows Hackett to focus on game-planning, it might be a smart move. However, labeling Hackett as "successful" might be a stretch given his recent track record. The Cardinals' approach will be something to watch as the season unfolds.