Jets' Hackett stripped of play-calling duties, Downing to take over

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday that quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Todd Downing will be the team's new offensive play-caller.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been the play-caller since he was hired in 2023.

"This is more a by-product of a different take on things. ... A fresh approach," Ulbrich told reporters.

He added, "Just another testament to the human being that Nathaniel Hackett is. ... He's going to continue to be a big part of the success we're going to have going forward from an offensive perspective."

Downing, 44, was the offensive coordinator and play-caller for the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and 2022 after Arthur Smith took the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching job. Former Jets sideline boss Robert Saleh hired Downing as New York's passing game coordinator in 2023.

Tennessee ranked 21st in EPA/play and 23rd in offensive success rate during Downing's tenure as play-caller, according to Ben Baldwin's database.

Ulbrich said quarterback Aaron Rodgers supports the change.

"(It wasn't) necessarily a shock," Ulbrich said of Rodgers' reaction to the news. "We are all familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel. They're very good friends; they go back a long way."

The Jets rank 25th in points per game through five contests and have only reached 400 yards of offense once so far.

Before being fired Tuesday, Saleh reportedly informed his coaching staff that he would remove Hackett as offensive play-caller and give the duties to Downing. However, Saleh was informed of his dismissal shortly after meeting with his staff.

Ulbrich also announced he will continue to call plays on defense.

The Jets will host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 6.