When Aaron Rodgers took himself out of his first season with the Jets last year following an Achilles injury in Week 1, the team’s offense struggled. That was when offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett claimed that once Rodgers returned, things would take a turn for the better. But five weeks into the new season, that hasn’t happened.

Despite the fact that Hackett’s run designs and play calls haven’t worked out in the Jets’ favor so far, Aaron Rodgers has stood by him. After all, they came to New York almost as a package deal – with the franchise using Hackett as a recruiting tool for the quarterback. In fact, when Sean Payton called Hackett’s stint with the Broncos “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL,” Rodgers came to his defense.

“I felt very protective of him,’’ Rodgers said, per the New York Post. “It’s been a tough couple of years with some of the stuff that [Payton] said about him and then obviously the scrutiny with our offense struggling. I feel like he took a lot of it on the chin, but we’d like to show some things this year.’’ Until the Jets’ Week 4 loss against the Broncos – following which they had a 2-2 record – it looked like Rodgers was doing what he could to make the most of Hackett’s play calls. But during their Week 5 game against the Vikings, it seemed like even the 40-year-old had had enough.

His frustration was evident whenever he was on the gridiron. And while he may have become the 9th player to complete 60,000 passing yards in the league, it was his below-average stats that caught everyone’s attention. The quarterback finished 29-of-54 passing for 244 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions for a 54.9 passer rating. The thing is, those two touchdowns were a result of improvisation, not Nathaniel Hackett’s calls.

To go along with his three interceptions – two of which came in the first quarter (the first time this has happened to Rodgers) – were three sacks and four offensive turnovers. Considering how much the Jets’ offense is struggling despite having names like Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, and Mike Williams, it was no surprise when there were widespread calls to sack Nathaniel Hackett. But it looks like head coach Robert Saleh has no intention of doing so.

In the presser following the 23-17 loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, a reporter asked Saleh: “From a big-picture, offensive standpoint, are you giving any consideration right now to having anyone else besides Nathaniel to call the plays?” The coach had a simple yet stern response: “No,” basically meaning that Hackett still has complete control over the Jets’ offensive calls, which was similar to what he said in August.

Interestingly, while Robert Saleh mentioned how he isn’t scouting for more offensive voices, he did interview some coaches in the offseason. However, he clarified that it wasn’t to replace Hackett but rather to support him. When asked if the offensive coordinator’s role changed prior to this season, Saleh said,

“It’s the same. He’s still our play-caller. He still runs the offense. He’s still in full, total control.’’ But that’s precisely what fans and analysts alike aren’t on board with.

After the game on Sunday, NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky was asked on Unsportsmanlike Radio, “Who’s to blame for what’s going on with the Jets?” Orlovsky replied, “Well, you have to pin it on Aaron and the offensive coordinator. It’s both those guys not getting the offense going. I believe this offense has no choice but to get Davante [Adams].” 

The Raiders’ wide receiver recently opened up about his desire to be traded and since then, the Jets have been in the running to sign him. Orlovsky continued, “If you are just going to line up and stand still, you are execution dependent. If you don’t have people who can just be better than [the opponents], you’re going to fall flat when you’re playing against a defense that can cover a little bit.” 

Speaking of Aaron Rodgers and the blame falling partly on him, in a now-deleted tweet by Sauce Gardner, the cornerback seemingly called out the quarterback for his passes. “If a QB throws the ball and it is blanket coverage, they are 100% throwing the ball and hoping it’s a flag. lol.” Moreover, Rodgers also got mildly injured during the game.

In the third quarter, on the 3rd down, Aaron Rodgers suffered a tackle. The quarterback’s leg bent awkwardly, after which he went to the sideline before coming back to the field. After the game, the medical team diagnosed the injury as a low ankle sprain. That said, Robert Saleh isn’t worried about the signal caller. The head coach brushed aside the question in the conference, claiming that the initial tests were fine. But there are bigger problems to deal with. The back-to-back losing games have shocked the locker room.

Will the Gang Green be able to make a turnaround? The clock is ticking for the team!

Radio host demands Robert Saleh and Nathaniel Hackett be removed

All this offseason, there were reports of a cold war between the quarterback and the coach. Be it an Egypt trip or a minicamp skip, there were a few chances when both appeared to be in confrontation. However, after the losses, the coach came under fire. He isn’t alone; the OC is also being criticized.

Mike Francesa, the host of the Mike Francesa Podcast, criticized both Robert Saleh and Nathaniel Hackett. While talking about the team’s responsibility, he said, “If I were the owner, Saleh wouldn’t be the coach anymore. In-season. I can’t look at it anymore. Because there has to be a new order for this team, there has to be an accountability for this team, and I would immediately fire the offensive coordinator. Immediately.“

The games haven’t turned out the way the Jets have planned. Rodgers’ performance hasn’t been over the top. In 5 games so far, the quarterback has 111 of 182 passes (61% pass completion rate) with 1,093 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. But the Jets want something else. A Super Bowl!

The season is just getting started and has become way more exciting. Stay tuned! We’ll bring more stories from Robert Saleh and his team.