Jaguars HC candidate profile: Nathaniel Hackett

Hackett, Green Bay’s offensive coordinator, held the same role in Jacksonville from 2016-18.

As Jacksonville continues to progress through its coaching search to replace Urban Meyer, who was fired after 13 games this season, there’s a clear trend toward coaches with offensive backgrounds when it comes to the names being interviewed for the opening. One of those names Jags fans may recall from a few years back is Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who previously held the same role in Jacksonville.

The idea of hiring Hackett isn’t necessarily as flashy as some of the coordinators interviewing for the job, such as Byron Leftwich and Kellen Moore, would be. But with that being said, what’s most important is getting this hire right and especially finding someone who can develop quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.

There’s reason to believe Hackett is capable of doing just that, and here’s what you need to know about him as a potential candidate.

Background

Hackett started his coaching career in 2003 and spent the next seven seasons as an off-field staffer at both the college and pro levels. He got his first big break in 2010 when he was hired to be the passing game coordinator at Syracuse under coach Doug Marrone and was promoted to offensive coordinator the following season.

When Marrone left Syracuse for the Bills job, Hackett returned to Buffalo, where he was an offensive quality control coach from 2008-09, to serve as the offensive coordinator. He held that role for two seasons, but when Marrone opted out of his contract in Buffalo and became the Jags offensive line coach in 2015, Hackett came with him to serve as quarterbacks coach.

Jacksonville fired head coach Gus Bradley and promoted Marrone to the interim role. Marrone in turn promoted Hackett to interim offensive coordinator, and when the former got the full-time job, so did the latter. Hackett was the Jaguars’ play-caller for two seasons, including the 2017 AFC Championship run.

However, after a 3-8 start in 2018, Marrone fired his longtime assistant, who quickly landed in Green Bay as the offensive coordinator. He’s been there for the last three seasons where he has led elite offenses under Matt LaFleur with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at his disposal.

Why Hackett could be a good hire?

There’s no doubt that Hackett has a polarizing reputation among Jags fans, and some of you likely let out an audible groan upon hearing arguments as to why he could be a good option for the team. It’s true that the offense was never the bright spot of the team under Hackett, with the defense instead leading the team on the 2017 playoff run.

However, Hackett’s work in Green Bay cannot be ignored. This season, the Packers rank 10th in both total offense and scoring offense. That’s actually a step back from last season in which the team had the best scoring offense and fifth-best total offense in football.

Still, considering the Packers entered the season unsure about the future of Rodgers, who has entertained trade talk and was none-too-pleased about the decision to draft a quarterback in the first round in 2020, it’s hard to overlook Hackett’s influence. It also should be worth noting that the Packers have the best record in football, something that Hackett, of course, has played a role in.

Even his time in Jacksonville doesn’t look too shabby in hindsight. After the anemic offenses the team has put out over the last four seasons, 2017’s unit doesn’t seem all that bad. Leonard Fournette ran for over 1,000 yards as a rookie that season, and Bortles had one of the most efficient seasons of his career under Hackett’s tutelage.

Bortles finished with 3,687 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while completing more than 60% of his passes for the first time in his career. His passer rating of 84.7 was also the second-best of his career behind his prolific but mistake-heavy 2015 season.

The concerns with hiring Hackett are clear. His offenses were middling at best in Jacksonville, Matt LaFleur calls the plays, and it’s hard to run a bad offense when you have Rodgers as your signal-caller. With that being said, Hackett is just 42 and deserves to have his name listed among the up-and-coming coaching prospects in the league. If the Jaguars are set on making an offensive hire, there are worse options than a reunion with Hackett.

Former Jags QB Blake Bortles signs with Packers

The Packers addressed the uncertainty in the Aaron Rodgers situation by signing Blake Bortles, reuniting him with Nathaniel Hackett.

With the uncertainty surrounding the situation with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, the Packers have decided to bring in an insurance policy in former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. The two parties agreed to a one-year deal, which was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

This move makes a lot of sense from both sides. Bortles, who Jacksonville drafted with the third overall pick in 2014, led the team to an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2017 but struggled the following year. He was released in 2019 after the team signed quarterback Nick Foles to a big deal.

Bortles backed up Jared Goff in Los Angeles in 2019, attempting two passes in three appearances, and he started the 2020 season with the Denver Broncos before being released and signed to their practice squad. The Rams brought him back by signing him off the Broncos’ practice squad in December, but he didn’t appear in a game for either team.

But in Green Bay, Bortles has a chance to reunite with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who held the same role in Jacksonville starting on an interim basis in 2016 before becoming full-time the following season. He was Bortles’ position coach in 2015 and 2016, as well.

The Packers could also use the help. It’s uncertain what will happen with Rodgers, but the 37-year-old future Hall-of-Famer has made it clear that he has no desire to return to Green Bay. That relationship seemingly began to sour when the Packers drafted a quarterback in the first round last year in Jordan Love.

Love didn’t appear in any games in 2020, and as of now, he’s the only quarterback other than Rodgers on the roster. Bortles may not be a hot commodity on the free-agent market, but he’s a relatively young quarterback with starting experience. Considering how well he knows Hackett’s system, he may be the initial starter if Rodgers is dealt or decides to hold out.