Mike Williams is excited to get a chance to work with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2024.
“Just seeing the way that he throws the ball and puts these guys in the right position. It don’t matter the plays that are being called [because] he is switching it at the line [of scrimmage],” Williams, a wide receiver, told Jets.com’s Caroline Hendershot. “Seeing what the defense is in and putting everybody in the right position to be successful. I like that he do that.”
Mike Williams Indirectly Downplays One of the Biggest Concerns for the Jets Heading Into Next Season
Williams’ quote indirectly addressed a concern of some fans: offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett‘s role as the team’s primary play caller.
Hackett has been criticized and was targeted for replacement, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes in May 2024.
He struggled in his first and only season as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, getting fired with two games left in the 2022 season.
His successor, Sean Payton, even told USA Today’s Jarrett Bell that did “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL. That’s how bad it was.”
My dad joked (or did he?) on the July 6 episode of the “Boy Green Daily” podcast that his 2022 performance as the Jets OC was even worse.
The Jets finished No. 30 in the NFL in points per game (15.8) and No. 31 in total offensive yards per game (268.6), and they had the third-fewest passing yards in the league using, per ESPN.
Hackett had to rely on an array of backup quarterbacks after starter Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season in Week 1, but he didn’t maximize the talent that he did have at his disposal.
Will the return of Rodgers quell concerns about Hackett? It depends on who you ask.
Conflicting Opinions on the Subject of Jets-Hackett
Williams says it won’t matter. However, some national analysts feel differently. Mina Kimes of ESPN explained on her podcast why she still believes Hackett is a huge issue for the green and white.
“Aaron Rodgers has said if you trust me, trust Hackett. I feel like we are kind of looking at this & we’re saying well it’s Aaron Rodgers he’s basically running the offense. It certainly matters when you’re talking about a veteran Hall of Fame quarterback & all of that but like if we’re really arguing that this team has not only the potential to win the AFC East but to make a deep playoff run if everyone is healthy the play calling is going to matter,” Kimes explained on the AFC East podcast episode.
.@minakimes doesn’t like that the #Jets retained OC Nathaniel Hackett & believes that him still being here is an issue for NYJ this season.
‘Aaron Rodgers has said if you trust me, trust Hackett. I feel like we are kind of looking at this & we’re saying well it’s Aaron Rodgers…
Who is right? Will Rodgers cover up any deficiencies that exist from Hackett? Or perhaps will Hackett sink the ship? Or better yet is it some combination of both?
Maybe Rodgers can cover up some of it, but not all of it. Soon the answer to that pressing question should become very apparent.
What version of Rodgers that Jets fans get could also change the answer to that question as well. He is 40 years of age coming off of a torn Achilles.
If he is the compromised version that we saw with the Green Bay Packers in 2022 or worse that could send the team in one direction. Or if he’s the back-to-back MVP he was in 2020 and 2021, look out.
