Jets new OC is a desperate attempt to get Aaron Rodgers attention

The New York Jets want to attract Aaron Rodgers, and just like the Broncos before them, have hired his good friend Nathaniel Hackett.

The best decision Nathaniel Hackett ever made was befriending Aaron Rodgers. It has landed him two high-profile jobs, the first of which had a lucrative buyout thanks to his stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Denver, of course, could not land Rodgers via trade and instead settled for their second choice in Russell Wilson. Wilson took a major step back under Hackett’s leadership. While that’s not entirely Hackett’s fault, it’s easy to wonder if his attractiveness as a coaching candidate had more to do with his own attributes, or Rodgers on-field ability.

On Thursday, the Jets made Hackett their offensive coordinator. Frankly, he can’t be much worse than his predecessor was last year, as Mike LaFleur ran the unit into the ground. But if Rodgers doesn’t follow Hackett to New York, will he still be in a position to succeed?

It’s definitely a little desperate.

Jets: Nathaniel Hackett is first step towards trading for Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers previously endorsed Hackett in Denver, and even credited him with prolonging his career and making football fun again. When Hackett was fired by the Broncos, Rodgers gave him the benefit of the doubt.

“Obviously it wasn’t a great fit in Denver for a number of reasons that I don’t need to bring up but the record is what it was,” Rodgers said. “The new owner decided to make a change, which is his prerogative. Hackett is still going to get paid and he still has an incredible wife and family, plus a lot of things to be proud of.”

If the two reunite in New York, the Jets should have one of the best offenses in all of football. Few teams are a quarterback away, but the Jets are one of those.