The New York Jets thrust themselves further into chaos on Tuesday when they fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start – a pivot that reeks of ownership angst.
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Part of the coaching turnover was stripping offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of his play calling duties in favor of quarterback coach and passing game coordinator Todd Downing.
In a building with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, questions are always going to linger about the state of the locker room and the morale that exists as a relationship between passer, coach, and the teammates caught in the middle. Fair or not, that will follow the Jets around.
So it was only human for people to consider the dynamic between Hackett and Downing, and how that relationship might persist. In an operation so reliant on communication and cohesion, these – often intangible – issues can impact the results on Sunday.
Fortunately for New York, Downing spoke glowingly on Friday about his relationship with the offensive coordinator.
"I think you're absolutely right that in a normal circumstance, with everyday people, it would be," Downing said, via SNY. "I can't express to you the respect, the just reverence I have for the way Nathaniel has gone about his business. From the moment the switch occurred, he walked into my office and told me that he wanted to support me and see me succeed in this role, and that the only thing that mattered to him was this offense putting together a good product and us winning football games."
Moving off of Saleh in the middle of October was rash. Stripping Hackett of his duties probably wasn't.
New York ranks 23rd in offensive expected points added per play – 21st in passing and 27th in rushing. In an offense with a Canton-bound quarterback, running back Breece Hall, and receiver Garrett Wilson, that is beyond unacceptable.
Part of getting back on track, though, means everybody taking accountability and doing their share to get the offensive back on track. Whether it be smoothing the transition between play callers, putting more effort into pass protection, or getting on the same page with Rodgers, just about everyone involved with the offensive operation can be better.
"He put his ego aside," Downing continued. "He is an absolute servant and it really has been humbling to watch how he's handled this. So I think most people out there, if they were going through what he's going through, they'd make it awkward. He has not. He has stood up and answered the bell in ways that I couldn't even have imagined."
The Jets will get to reap the benefits of these potential improvements on Monday, when they host the Buffalo Bills. A win would hand New York temporary ownership of first place and a moment to rise above the chaos it finds itself in.
