Why changing offensive play-callers might not matter for the New York Jets

After the New York Jets lost to the Minnesota Vikings, it was clear that something had to change on offense.

Former head coach Robert Saleh finally came to the conclusion on Tuesday. According to reports, when he entered the team facility that day, he was prepared to demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from his game-calling duties and hand them over to passing game coordinator Todd Downing, who had been offensive coordinator in two previous NFL stints.

He never got the chance. Owner Woody Johnson fired him before he could make the move and named defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach.

Johnson sees the Jets “…as a team that is competitive now and wanted to take a step to get things on the right track before it’s too late.” That’s why he moved after just five games of the season.

No one can really be sure what Downing will do with the offense on Monday when the Jets (2-3) face the Buffalo Bills (3-2) in the battle for the top spot in the AFC East, at least not until the game begins . In fact, Downing may not have the impact the Jets are hoping for — and it may have nothing to do with Downing.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who filed an in-depth report on the Jets’ tumultuous week on Saturday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be the biggest factor – or obstacle – to the offense’s success, depending on your point of view.

It’s not his loyalty to Hackett or his stubbornness to change. Russini has spoken to coaches familiar with Rodgers, and the offense’s success may come down to what has always mattered: him.

In the end, however, not much will change in the Jets’ offensive process. As coaches familiar with Rodgers explained, the call will go into Rodgers’ headset and the four-time MVP will decide whether to either call the play or signal his own play to his receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Hackett reportedly gave Rodgers options over the headset before he was demoted. So if Downing gives the 40-year-old quarterback the same options, he will be at the mercy of his quarterback and the defense in front of him.

And Rodgers has dealt with offenses like this since his time in Green Bay with former head coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur.

So it really depends on what schematic changes Downing wants to make and whether Rodgers will embrace them. Throughout the week, Ulbrich, Downing and Rodgers have indicated that the adjustment will not be massive in scope.

He threw for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in five games while completing 61 percent of his passes.