Jets’ Robert Saleh gives telling answer when asked if Nathaniel Hackett will keep calling plays

The Jets have been historically bad at finding the end zone this season, with 10 touchdowns in their first 11 games. Changing quarterbacks didn’t help matters on Friday when the Dolphins destroyed the Jets 34-13 with Tim Boyle replacing Zach Wilson.

So what about changing the play-caller, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett?

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“No,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “There is no consideration.”

For context, when the Jets had a relatively normal touchdown drive Friday for the first time since Oct. 1, when they went 35 yards in six plays, with Boyle finding Garrett Wilson for a touchdown. Their previous four touchdown drives had been three one-play bursts from Breece Hall, and drive that needed a fake punt to reach the end zone against Buffalo.

Basically, since Oct. 1, the Jets’ offense has scored touchdowns only under fortunate circumstances. Meanwhile, when Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill scored his touchdown Friday he was tied with the entire Jets’ offense with nine on the year.

So given that lack of production, why aren’t the Jets considering a change at play-caller?

Saleh paused for several moments before starting his response

“It would be a really long answer, answer for another day,” Saleh said. “When you look at it all – and again, it’s a little bit of everything, whether the calls could be better, whether the execution can be better, whether our one-on-one battles could be better – it’s taking advantage of the situations we have when we get them. Do I think [the] play caller will fix that? I don’t know. I don’t have an answer for you on that one.”

Saleh is in a tough spot here, when it comes to making a change at offensive coordinator and answering questions explaining his decision: because, obviously, Hackett’s tight relationship with Aaron Rodgers is a huge factor in the Jets’ decision-making calculus.

The Jets want a chance at making a run with Rodgers in 2024. But Rodgers has said repeatedly that the chance to play for Hackett is a big reason he asked for a trade to the Jets. Would Rodgers still be willing to play for the Jets in 2024 if they move on from Hackett, would even broaching that question with Rodgers harm their relationship with him? And what about the locker room? If they stop believing in Hackett could they lose faith in Saleh for sticking with him?

Like we said, it’s a tough spot. And it’s only going to get tougher unless the Jets find a way to win in the final six games of the season.

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Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.