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    • “Jets name Todd Downing offensive lineman after Robert Saleh shoots.”
    Tennessee

    “Jets name Todd Downing offensive lineman after Robert Saleh shoots.”

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

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    After a major change, the New York Jets’ retooling continued Thursday morning.

    Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the fired Robert Saleh two days ago, announced that Todd Downing will effectively (if not officially) take over the role of offensive coordinator that Nathaniel Hackett has held since he was hired last year.

    “As far as personnel is concerned, after much consideration – and this decision was by no means easy for me – I will make Todd Downing the play caller for the New York Jets in the future,” announced Ulbrich. “And that’s more of a byproduct of a different way of looking at things – I’m not saying it’s a better or worse way of looking at things at all – but just a different way of looking at things, a new approach.”

    “Ultimately, Todd will have full say in the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called in the game.”

    Downing has 22 years of NFL coaching experience, including stints as offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders (2017) and Tennessee Titans (2021-22).

    Ulbrich said shortly after replacing Saleh that he had no plans to make any personnel changes to the coaching staff, but acknowledged that job responsibilities could change.

    Hackett’s offense in New York was often maligned with and without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps in the last 22 games due to an Achilles tendon injury in 2023 – it often seemed stagnant and certainly didn’t produce the desired results. Last season it finished 31st among the league’s 32 teams.

    Through five weeks this year, the Jets (2-3) ranked 25th in the league in scoring and 27th in total offense, i.e. yards gained. They rank last in rushing, averaging 80.4 yards per game, despite the presence of talented defensive backs Breece Hall and rookie Braelon Allen.

    Ulbrich, a veteran defensive assistant and coordinator who was a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000 to 2009, will also contribute to the stagnant offense, saying he planned to “find the places I’ve been since the beginning.” “I can incorporate my personality into that side of the ball strategically or from a schematic perspective.”

    The Jets have been overly reliant on the arm of the 40-year-old Rodgers, who has endured plenty of physical punishment during the club’s current two-game losing streak. In Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, he threw 54 times, the fifth most of his storied 20-year career. He was also picked up three times.

    Rodgers, a long-time friend and defender of Hackett — he was the Green Bay Packers’ OC when the QB was the league’s MVP in 2020 and 2021 — said Wednesday during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he agrees with all the changes would decide to make Ulbrich.

    “Some things had to change regardless of what happened to Robert. We just didn’t play consistent football on offense. As we know, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” Rodgers said.

    “As far as offense goes, I agree with whatever he decides. I want to do the best for the team. We fully support Coach Ulbrich and will do what he thinks is best for the team.”

    The Jets host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

    ***

    Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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