Nathaniel Hackett-Aaron Rodgers reunion a mutual 'daydream'
Nathaniel Hackett’s first big play for the Jets was introducing everyone to Aaron Rodgers during the meeting that set the path for a blockbuster trade.
On his first day as Jets quarterback, Rodgers made it clear that the allure of reuniting with Hackett (hired as Jets offensive coordinator in January) helped get him on board with a fresh start.
Hackett was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator with the Packers for three seasons (2019-21) that resulted in two NFL MVPs.
“A big reason I’m here is Nathaniel Hackett,” Rodgers said. “Hack and I became really close friends. I love him like a brother. And I believe in him.”
Fired only 15 games into his first season as Broncos head coach, Hackett could’ve sat out the 2023 season. So, did he know that he might get another shot at coaching Rodgers by coming to the Jets?
“You never know,” Hackett said. “I’ve learned in this business that anything can happen at any time. In the back of my head, to have the opportunity to work with Aaron again, you are always crossing your fingers.”
Hackett was part of the Jets’ contingent that flew to California to pitch Rodgers on March 7, but even he wasn’t sure that Rodgers was sold until the big reveal six weeks ago on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Nathaniel Hackett (l.) and Aaron Rodgers (r.) with the Packers on Jan. 9, 2022. AP
They will collaborate closely in building the Jets’ offense because Rodgers plans to participate in most of the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
“There’s a lot of stuff we don’t want to mess up,” Hackett said. “We want to keep it as tight as we can, and if there’s tweaks here and there, we’ll talk about that and work through it. We see [the game] through the same lens. Even if I had ideas, I would always bounce them off him.”
The Jets parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur — younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur — after last season. Hackett and Rodgers were first put together by Matt LaFleur.
“Aaron runs things out on the field very uniquely,” Hackett said. “There’s a lot of things the guys are going to have to learn and get used to. Where that goes, I’m not sure, but I know there are going to be some growing pains.”
Not that expectations won’t be sky high.
“When he walks in the building, everything changes,” Hackett said.
The foundation for their relationship is honesty, challenging each other and striving for perfection.
Want to catch a game? The Jets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.
“We used to hug before every game, and my message to him was, ‘Thank you for making this fun again,’ ” Rodgers said. “That’s what he brings to a room — a fun energy to be around. Not to mention he’s an excellent teacher.
“This was part of the dream, when I started to daydream about this opportunity: Being able to come to work with one of my all-time favorite people every day.”
Source: New York Post
