In a move that has generated significant buzz in the NFL community, the New York Jets have confirmed that Nathaniel Hackett will continue as the offensive play-caller for the 2024 season. This decision comes after a dismal 2023 season where the Jets finished 31st in points per possession and dead last in yards per possession.
Deliberations Within Jets Leadership
The Jets' leadership faced intense scrutiny as they considered whether to replace Hackett, given the team's poor offensive performance. Throughout the season, the Jets had the worst third-down conversion rates and red zone efficiency in the league, further amplifying the questions surrounding the offensive strategy.
Arthur Smith Consideration
One intriguing development during this period was the potential recruitment of Arthur Smith. Smith, who had been dismissed from the Atlanta Falcons in January, was approached by the Jets for a significant role. However, the specifics of the position were unclear. According to a source, "The role that he'd actually have on Robert Salah's coaching staff was not clear," indicating the ambiguity of his possible duties. There was speculation that Smith might be "possibly being part of the play-calling process," which would have put him in direct involvement with the Jets' offensive strategies.
Smith's Decision
Ultimately, Arthur Smith declined the overture from the Jets, opting instead to join the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator. This decision left the Jets with limited options and prompted them to stick with Nathaniel Hackett for the upcoming season.
Looking Forward
Given the offensive struggles of the previous season, retaining Hackett has been a contentious decision among fans and analysts. The Jets will need to address the systemic issues that hampered their performance on third downs and in the red zone if they hope to be competitive in the 2024 season. Hackett's ability to adapt and improve the offensive playbook will be under intense scrutiny as the new season approaches.
For now, the Jets' leadership appears to be betting on continuity, hoping that Hackett can turn the lessons learned from a challenging 2023 season into a more cohesive and effective offensive unit. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off.