Hiring Hackett Big Reason Why Jets Landed Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers saw the New York Jets’ potential first-hand on the field in 2022.
“They smoked us last year, so I knew they had a good team,” said Gang Green’s new starting quarterback during an introductory press conference on Wednesday.
The Jets defeated the Packers, 27-10, at Lambeau Field in Week 6 last season. Gang Green’s suffocating defensive effort limited the Packers to 5.6 yards per pass attempt in the road win.
In addition to facing head coach Robert Saleh’s team in the head-to-head matchup, Rodgers had the opportunity to see the Jets in a practice setting during the 2021 NFL Preseason.
“We got to practice against them a couple years ago and I got to get to know Robert a little bit more,” said Rodgers. “I’ve always loved what he’s all about. I liked the way that he was leading, his coaching style.”
With all that said, the lynchpin in luring Rodgers to Florham Park was likely the presence of new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
“A big reason I’m here, I gotta mention, is Nathaniel Hackett,” said Rodgers, who won back-to-back NFL MVP awards with Hackett as the Packers’ OC.
“Hack and I became really close friends three years in Green Bay. I love him, like a brother, and I believe in him. I’m really happy to be back working with him again.”
The Jets hired Hackett, who was relieved of his duties as the Denver Broncos’ head coach during the 2022 season, in late January.
Prior to his short stint in Denver, Hackett spent three straight seasons (2019-21) calling the offensive plays in Green Bay. The Packers averaged 13 regular season victories per year during his tenure.
Rodgers threw 111 touchdowns passes to only 13 interceptions over the three-year span working with Hackett. In 2020, the veteran quarterback set single-season career highs in completion percentage (70.7) and TD passes (48).
“He’s going to be able to come in here and his relationship with Nathaniel (Hackett), his relationship with some of the other players that are on the team,” said Gang Green GM Joe Douglas yesterday. “Obviously, it’s an adjustment when you’re somewhere for 18 years, but we feel like with the people that we have in place, he can get comfortable quickly.”
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