Report: New York Jets considered hiring former head coach Arthur Smith to assist with offense

It was reported earlier in the offseason that the New York Jets considered replacing and/or supplementing current offensive coordinator Nate Hackett with another offensive coordinator type coach that would have held a similar rank.

Recently, a report provided additional clarification around what that may have looked like.

As further explained within the article written by Mike Florio that is linked in the above tweet:

As the Jets explored the possibility of hiring an offensive coordinator to coordinate the offense coordinated by Nathaniel Hackett, an offensive coordinator who did the job well enough in Tennessee to become a head coach was contacted.

As reported by Dianna Russini of TheAthletic.com, former Falcons coach Arthur Smith was “talked to about possibly being part of the play-calling process.”

PFT has confirmed that there were communications. However, we’re told that Smith wasn’t interested, in part because the role wasn’t clear.

This gives additional reason to believe that the New York Jets were seemingly not content with Nathaniel Hackett as they headed into the offseason. Perhaps that is changed now, but it would suggest that the offensive coordinator could quickly find himself on the hot seat if the Jets were to struggle.

Beyond that, Arthur Smith ran a relatively run-heavy offense as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, which could suggest that the team is expecting to lean on the running game this season.

But what do you think about the possibility that the Jets almost hired Arthur Smith? Would you have been excited about that hire?