Legitimate interest in Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as a head-coaching candidate is already starting.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Jaguars requested an interview with Hackett for the team’s open head-coaching job.
Hackett, 42, has been Matt LaFleur’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay since 2019. Before joining the Packers, Hackett was a quarterbacks coach (2015-16) and offensive coordinator (2016-18) for the Jaguars. Jacksonville went to an AFC title game with Hackett leading the offense, but former Jaguars coach Doug Marrone eventually fired him as the offensive coordinator on Nov. 28, 2016.
While with the Packers, Hackett has worked alongside LaFleur and helped craft one of the best offenses around MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His work with Rodgers in one of the NFL’s cutting-edge offensive schemes will make him a popular candidate during this coaching cycle.
Hackett’s positive, engaging and energetic personality and his success building the Packers’ red-zone offense will also be alluring for teams looking to rebuild the football culture and get better on offense, particularly with the young quarterback.
The Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 draft, but his rookie season has been a mess. Jacksonville fired Urban Meyer during his first season with the team last month.
Combining Hackett’s experience with Rodgers and knowledge of LaFleur’s offense with Lawrence and his skill set could be an exciting path forward for the Jaguars.
Quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy and offensive line coach Adam Stenavich could be candidates to replace Hackett as offensive coordinator if he leaves Green Bay for a head-coaching job this offseason.