One potential trade destination for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers just became a lot more likely.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that the New York Jets are hiring former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, replacing Mike LaFleur, the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Breaking: The Jets are hiring former Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, a source told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/IR1eXPn5ZF
— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2023
Before he was the Broncos’ head coach, Hackett was the Packers’ offensive coordinator.
And he was extremely well-liked by Rodgers.
In fact, after the 2021 season, Rodgers suggested that he could follow Hackett if he landed a head coaching job (Rodgers obviously didn’t, but that shows you how close the two are).
“’Hack’ has been a really important part of our culture change,” said Rodgers during the 2021 season. “And a part of our success on offense. I love him. I hope he doesn’t go anywhere… Unless I do.”
Here is @AaronRodgers12’s full answer — on Nov. 11, 2020 — about Nathaniel Hackett when asked (in a typically long-winded way 😉) about then-#Packers offensive coordinator and now the new head coach of the Denver @Broncos.
The smirk at the end … pic.twitter.com/FJu5HlDeNn
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 28, 2022
Rodgers won two MVP awards with Hackett as his offensive coordinator.
The Jets are one of the teams heavily in the mix to trade for Rodgers. And we heard a report earlier this week that suggested New York is willing to trade multiple first-round picks for Rodgers.
With Hackett now in New York, I think the odds of Rodgers landing there could be considered high.
You still never know when it comes to Rodgers, but this is undoubtedly a significant development in the annual Rodgers saga.