Late Thursday morning, it was announced that Nathaniel Hackett was hired as the Offensive Coordinator of the New York Jets. Hackett last served as the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos for only 15 games. During his tenure, he achieved a 4-11 record, and his team was often mocked as one of the most boring to watch in prime time. But before that, he ran a dynamic Green Bay Packers offense and often earned the praise of Aaron Rodgers.

When Hackett was hired as Head Coach of the Broncos, Aaron Rodgers expressed sadness, stating it’s “like losing a brother.” He then went on to state that he’d like to follow Hackett if he ever left Green Bay.

Queue the speculation!

The Denver Pursuit

It’s well known that Denver made a push to trade for Aaron Rodgers during the 2022 offseason. Denver running back Melvin Gordon, even lobbied the team to do whatever it takes to get Rodgers.

Once they announced the hiring of Nathaniel Hackett as their Head Coach, many thought that this was a direct push to lure Aaron Rodgers to agree to a trade to Denver. Denver had many weapons on Offense, just not a Quarterback. And now they had hired a well-loved former coach of Rodgers? It had to be true.

However, it did not come to fruition, and the Broncos instead winded up trading with the Seattle Seahawks to land Russell Wilson. Could you imagine Aaron Rodgers recording the now Russell Wilson famous-line “Broncos Country, let’s ride”? Absolutely not. But then again after remembering the awkward State Farm Aaron Rodgers body double commercial, perhaps it’s not that crazy after-all.

Hackett’s time in Denver was abysmal. Was it all his fault though? Eh, maybe a little bit. But personally, I think they relied too much on “Letting Russ Cook” when Russell Wilson, absolutely is not Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps Nathaniel Hackett is better suited for coordinator work and not quite Head Coach.

What will the Jets bring?

Before Hackett was hired, the New York Jets were already considered a possible trade destination should the Packers and Aaron Rodgers part ways. Jet’s owner, Woody Johnson, even said a few days ago that he’d pay a steep price tag for Aaron Rodgers. He stated that he would give up “multiple first round picks” for the chance to land Rodgers. But with the Packers and Rodgers wanting to part amicably if they do, Rodgers would have to want to go to New York.

Suddenly, Nathaniel Hackett is hired by the New York Jets as Offensive Coordinator. Queue the speculation one more time!

Even after the hiring of Hackett, Jets Head Coach, Robert Saleh, stated that the Jets are committed to finding a Veteran Quarterback.

Oh great, here we go again.

The Jets do offer some decent weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, and Elijah Moore offer some good receiving options should Rodgers land in Gotham City. Wilson alone as a rookie achieved a 1K yard season despite the fact that he had to deal with a starting Quarterback carousel. Imagine what he could do with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

With a defense that ranked 4th in the league in 2022, perhaps the Jets really are a great Quarterback away from championship football. Aaron Rodgers just might put them over the top.

Is Hackett the bait for a Rodgers trade?

It seemed with the Broncos, that they hired Nathaniel Hackett to make themselves a more desirable destination for Aaron Rodgers should a trade be entertained. They believed they were a Quarterback away from greatness. But it didn’t work out. Be their tough season Hackett’s fault or not, they seemed to have no problem at all firing him before the season was even over. Their willingness to move on ASAP doesn’t exactly make it seem like they believed Hackett to be much more than a pawn in a Block Buster trade.

Now suddenly it’s as if history is repeating itself. A team with a coaching vacancy that believe themselves to be a Quarterback away from greatness, hires a coach Aaron Rodgers loves.

It has to be hard being in Hackett’s shoes. He has to be thinking “am I being hired based on merit? Or do they just view me as a key to landing that guy I coached in Green Bay?” Then again, maybe it’s not hard, collecting a large paycheck just because you know someone likely isn’t that bad of a life. But still, is this again just a ploy to land a Rodgers trade?

Time will tell. As of the current moment, Aaron Rodgers is still apparently “on the fence” of whether or not he’s returning. If I’m being very honest, if the Jets are willing to give the Packers multiple first round picks, plus possibly more, I’d pull the trigger if I’m Brian Gutekunst.

In the saga that was the parting of Brett Favre from the Packers, the Packers only received a 2nd round pick from the Jets. This was pooled with other picks to trade up and draft a guy named Clay Matthews. Whom I hear did pretty well in a Packers uniform.

If the Packers can get two firsts and maybe more for Aaron Rodgers, I could not in good faith, say it’s a bad idea. That’s two potential impact players that could be in Packers uniforms for 4-5 years compared to the maybe 1-2 more years of Aaron Rodgers.

If Nathaniel Hackett truly is the worm in a ploy to lure in Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have a big decision on their hands. Aaron Rodgers will have his number retired in Green Bay and his name will undoubtedly be seen on the Lambeau facade well after his retirement. Nothing will change that. If the return is what Woody Johnson says he’s willing to pay, it’s time to pull the trigger. Do we want the warm and fuzzies of a retirement ceremony? Or perhaps two pieces in the puzzle of future Packers’ greatness well after this saga is over?

Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.

——————