NFL
NFL Rumors: Robert Saleh Eyed Kingsbury, Bieniemy, More for Jets’ 2024 Coaching Staff
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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh “tried to recruit multiple different offensive coaches during the offseason,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“The Jets spoke to Eric Bieniemy (now UCLA’s offensive coordinator), Kliff Kingsbury (now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator), Luke Getsy (now the Raiders’ offensive coordinator) and Arthur Smith (now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator),” Russini reported Saturday.
She added that “it proved too difficult to make an addition since [Saleh] didn’t have an ‘offensive coordinator’ title to offer.”
The Jets announced Tuesday they fired Saleh following a 2-3 start to the 2024 NFL season.
SNY’s Connor Hughes followed up to report that Saleh planned to remove offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from play-calling duties before his ouster. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich eventually took that step.
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Jeff Ulbrich announces that Todd Downing will call the plays moving forward for the Jets’ offense
Ulbrich says Nathaniel Hackett will continue to be a “big part of the success we’re going to have going forward” pic.twitter.com/R5soBKKBoC
It’s telling how Saleh seemingly wanted to hire an entirely new offensive coordinator but didn’t simply fire Hackett outright. Russini wrote Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers “was involved in the process to add a new coach” yet “wasn’t going to boot Hackett.”
New York painted itself into a serious corner.
Johnson maintained he didn’t consult with Rodgers before deciding to fire Saleh. Getting rid of Saleh while keeping Hackett still only strengthened the perception the four-time MVP is wielding significant influence behind the scenes.
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“Aaron Rodgers said that Nathaniel Hackett is one of his dearest friends… fun and friendship don’t win you football games.”@Realrclark25 on the Jets making Todd Downing their new play caller ✍️ pic.twitter.com/59qYfp0WEC
Demoting Hackett then raised the natural follow-up question of what purpose the offensive coordinator is serving if you no longer trust him as the lead play-caller.
Russini pointed to another lingering issue when she wrote that giving passing game coordinator Todd Downing the play sheet “won’t ultimately change much about the Jets’ offensive process.” The play-calling still runs through Rodgers, who’s expected to continue basically exercising his right to modify any call he doesn’t like at the line of scrimmage.
Saleh isn’t totally blameless for the Jets’ disappointing 2023 season or their underwhelming start this year. However, Russini’s report reinforces how he was working with one hand tied behind his back from the moment the Jets decided to tie their fate to Rodgers.
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