Aaron Rodgers supported the Jets' move to strip Nathaniel Hackett of his game officiating duties

When New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters on Thursday that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would be relieved of his game-calling duties and that passing game coordinator Todd Downing would move forward instead, many wondered how quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who spent three seasons with the Team spent, Hackett was able to cope in Green Bay and has a good relationship with the coach, would react to the news.

When Ulbrich was asked about Rodgers' reaction, he said the veteran quarterback was “supportive” of the move.

“It was obviously … not necessarily shocking, but we all know the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “And they are very, very good friends who have a long history. He understood the decision and supported the decision. And I’m lucky for that.”

“So I talked to him, I talked to a lot of offensive players – and defensive players too – before I made this decision.”

Hackett was the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021, with Rodgers winning back-to-back NFL MVPs in two of those years. Rodgers had high praise for Hackett, whom he described as “probably my favorite coach I've ever had in the NFL” in a July 2023 interview. He was also a staunch defender of Hackett when he was openly criticized by Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton in an interview last year.

But the results haven't been great for Hackett in two seasons in New York. The Jets, faltered by Zach Wilson's quarterback play after Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury just four snaps into the 2023 season, finished 31st in Hackett's first year of running plays. Ranked 29th in total yards per game and 29th in points per game.

With Rodgers in tow, the results in 2024 weren't much better. Entering Week 6, New York ranks 27th in yards per game and 25th in points per game.

Rodgers, during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show asserted Wednesday that his relationship with Hackett remains strong.

“Our relationship is great,” Rodgers said of Hackett. “It has always been that way and will always be that way. There were some things that needed to be changed regardless of what happened with Robert, and we just weren't playing consistently offensively.”

Following the firing of Robert Saleh and the demotion of Hackett, the Jets will have a new head coach and game manager who will face the division rival Buffalo Bills in a crucial game in Week 6.