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Jets hire Hackett as offensive coordinator

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The New York Jets hired former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, the team announced Thursday.

Hackett will replace Mike LaFleur, whom New York fired on Jan. 11 after two seasons.

Denver brought in Hackett as its head coach last year after he spent the previous three seasons as the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator. However, Hackett didn't even last one full campaign with the Broncos, who fired him in December amid a 4-11 record. He garnered heavy criticism for his game management and decision-making throughout the season.

The 43-year-old also previously served as offensive coordinator and called plays for the Buffalo Bills (2013-14) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-18). Hackett and Jets head coach Robert Saleh worked together in Jacksonville.

With Hackett on the sideline, Jacksonville ranked 25th and 31st in points scored in 2016 and 2018, respectively. It did, however, boast a top-five offense in 2017, the year the team reached the AFC Championship Game.

Hackett landed a head coaching job after being on the Packers' sideline when Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. Hackett's hiring fueled speculation on social media about Rodgers and the Jets, who have been linked as a possible destination for the superstar quarterback if he plays in 2023. Rodgers, who said he's taking time to evaluate his future, is still under contract with Green Bay for two more seasons, but a trade has been reported as a possibility this offseason.

The 7-10 Jets - owners of one of the league's most improved defenses this season - struggled offensively while navigating through four starting quarterbacks: Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White, and Chris Streveler. New York ranked 29th in the NFL with just 17.4 points per game in 2022 and missed the playoffs despite starting the season 6-3.

Former Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter is also joining the Jets as their O-line coach and run game coordinator, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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