The New York Jets have made a decisive and possibly controversial choice regarding their offensive strategy for the upcoming 2024 season. Despite finishing near the bottom of the league in several key offensive metrics last season, the Jets will retain Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive play-caller.
Struggles in 2023
The decision to keep Hackett comes after a particularly challenging 2023 season, where the Jets found themselves at the bottom of numerous statistical categories. They were 31st in points per possession and dead last in yards per possession. Perhaps most glaringly, they had the worst third-down conversion rates and red zone efficiency in the league. These offensive struggles led the Jets’ leadership to seriously consider other options.
Consideration of Change
One notable candidate for a revamp was Arthur Smith, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Smith, who was dismissed from his position in January, caught the attention of the Jets' decision-makers. They considered bringing him in for a significant role, although "the role that he’d actually have on Robert Salah’s coaching staff was not clear." There was speculation that he might be "possibly being part of the play-calling process."
Smith's Decision
Despite the overture from the Jets, Smith declined the opportunity. Instead, he chose to join the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator. This move left the Jets with a decision to make—either to continue searching for another replacement or to stay the course with Hackett.
Commitment to Hackett
Ultimately, the Jets opted for continuity, deciding to stick with Nathaniel Hackett for another season. This choice underscores a vote of confidence in Hackett’s ability to overcome the severe challenges faced by the team last year.
While this decision may raise eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, the Jets leadership appears committed to seeing if Hackett can turn things around. The team's commitment to Hackett indicates a belief that their offensive woes could be more about execution and less about play-calling schemes. Remaining hopeful, the Jets franchise and its fans now await to see if this continued faith in Hackett proves fruitful on the field in the 2024 season.
The upcoming season will be crucial for Hackett and the Jets. Should the offensive struggles persist, it is likely that changes will not be delayed any further. For now, stability is the path chosen by the Jets, in the hope that it will lead to improvement and eventual success.