Despite a disastrous 2023 season, Jets head coach Robert Saleh fully expects not only himself to return to the team in 2024, but the entire coaching staff including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett according to SI.com’s Albert Breer.
Additionally, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes that Jets owner Woody Johnson has confirmed that both Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas will remain with the team for at least another season. Furthermore, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said Saturday that Hackett is expected to return in 2024.
“My decision is to keep them,” Johnson told Costello before Sunday’s 30-28 win over the Washington Commanders. “I think we’ve had some very positive moves. The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces.”
Of course, the move to keep a coaching staff that played a big role in the 2023 disaster, in large part has everything to do with pleasing Aaron Rodgers which Johnson more or less confirmed saying that a goal was to “keep the continuity going with Aaron [Rodgers] and the team we’ve got”.
Like Johnson, Rodgers reiterated his support for the coaching staff during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, per the team’s website:
“I believe in Joe Douglas, I think he’s put together a lot of great drafts and a great roster. We’ve obviously had a number of difficult injuries this season. I believe in Robert Saleh. I think he’s a fantastic coach, he’s got the right stuff. What you emphasize is what you are going to get. I think he emphasizes the right things about the right stuff, how to be a professional. I believe in Nate Hackett. I always have. The offense that he runs is quarterback friendly and obviously it was geared around me and my abilities and what I do well.”
Perhaps it’s not the best idea to let a 40-year-old QB coming off an Achilles injury essentially run your team. Especially when it means bringing back a head coach who led the Jets to a 17-32 record over the past three seasons with zero playoff appearances.