The New York Jets have made a significant decision regarding their offensive play-calling for the 2024 season, opting to retain Nathaniel Hackett despite a dismal performance in the 2023 campaign. This decision comes after considerable contemplation by the Jets' leadership, who had to weigh their options carefully amid an underwhelming offensive display last season.
Jets' Offensive Struggles
The statistics from the 2023 season paint a dire picture for the Jets' offense. The team ranked 31st in points per possession and dead last in yards per possession. Additionally, their third-down conversion rates and red zone efficiency were the worst in the league. This performance naturally raised questions about Hackett's effectiveness and prompted discussions within the organization's leadership about making a change in their offensive coaching staff.
Arthur Smith: The Considered Alternative
One of the names that surfaced during these deliberations was Arthur Smith, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Smith, who was dismissed from his position with the Falcons in January, was seen as a potential candidate to bring fresh ideas and strategies to the Jets' struggling offense. The Jets explored the possibility of bringing Smith into their coaching staff, potentially to have him involved in the play-calling process.
However, the role that Arthur Smith would have had on Robert Salah's coaching staff remained ambiguous. It was mentioned that Smith could have "possibly [been] part of the play-calling process," which points to the uncertainty surrounding his exact duties. Despite the interest from the Jets, Arthur Smith had other plans for his coaching career.
Smith's Decision and Jets' Final Call
Ultimately, Arthur Smith declined the Jets' overture. Instead, he chose to join the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator, moving on to another prominent role within the NFL. This left the Jets with a critical decision to make regarding their own offensive strategy.
With Smith out of the picture, the Jets opted to stick with Nathaniel Hackett. This decision underscores the organization's willingness to give Hackett another chance to rectify the shortcomings of the previous season. Despite the overwhelmingly poor offensive metrics, the Jets' leadership appears to believe that continuity and stability could pave the way for improvement in 2024.
While fans and analysts alike may scrutinize this decision, hoping for substantial changes in the team's offensive approach, the Jets' leadership has shown confidence in Hackett's ability to turn things around. Whether this faith will be rewarded with a resurgent offense remains to be seen, but for now, Hackett retains the reins as the offensive play-caller for the New York Jets.