Jets new playcaller: It's been a unique week

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets assistant Todd Downing has seen a lot in 20 years as an NFL coach, but never anything like this.

In a major coaching shakeup this week, Downing was given control of the Jets' slumping offense, which meant calling the plays for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose previous playcaller, his close friend Nathaniel Hackett, remained on staff in a reduced role.

“It's definitely a unique week,” Downing said Friday. “I've been in this profession for a long time and you think you've been through a lot of different experiences, and this was definitely a new one.”

For Downing, who makes his debut Monday night against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium, it's a potentially awkward dynamic given the circumstances. When teams dump an offensive coordinator during the season, the former coordinator is usually sent packing.

Not in this case. Hackett wanted to stay and still holds the title of offensive coordinator.

“I think you're absolutely right that, in a normal situation with normal or everyday people, it would [awkward]” said Downing.” “I can't express enough respect, respect to you for the way Nathaniel has gone about his business since the switch.”

Downing said that Hackett walked into his office as soon as the change was made and expressed his full support and that “the only thing that mattered to him was that this offense put together a good product and that we win football games. He put his ego aside. He's an absolute slave, and It's been really humbling to see how he's handled it.”

The tumult began Tuesday, when coach Robert Saleh was abruptly fired after a 2-3 start. He planned to demote Hackett and elevate Downing, sources said. That decision fell to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who decided to make the same move in an effort to fix the offense. The Jets are 25th in scoring and 27th in yards per game.

If Rogers was upset by the change, he didn't let it be public. He said he supported Ulbricht's decision, but there is a difference between supporting and agreeing with it. He said he has a “great relationship” with Downing, calling him a “tremendous quarterback coach.” Downing coaches quarterbacks, with the title of passing game coordinator.

Downing is aware of Rogers' close ties to Hackett. He doesn't think there will be any problems because the team has always worked cooperatively.

“Every meeting I've been in where Aaron has come from a position standpoint, from an offensive standpoint, so I think I've kind of learned a different language that way,” Downing said. “Obviously, things are going to come out of my mouth a little differently, so there's going to be a process of finding the best way to communicate with him. I want to be an open book to how I can best serve him. One of our players.”

Rodgers is coming off one of the worst games of his career — three interceptions in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Downing described it as a blip, saying he expects the four-time MVP to rebound.

Downing said he hasn't decided whether he will call the play from the field or the box. He called the plays from the field as the coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and 2021. Hackett was calling the plays from the field, which allowed him to communicate with Rodgers between series