New York Jets quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator Todd Downing will call the offensive plays starting with Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday.
Downing replaces offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in the play-calling role.
Ulbrich, in turn, announced that he will remain the team’s defensive coordinator and continue to call plays on defense.
Despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Jets rank 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring (18.6).
“This is more a byproduct of a different take on things,” Ulbrich said. “I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means — just a different take on things, a fresh approach. Ultimately Todd will have the full say on the gameplan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game.”
Ulbrich said Thursday that Rodgers understood his decision. Rodgers and Hackett worked together with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-21 when the latter was the team’s offensive coordinator.
“It was obviously — not necessarily shocked, but we all are familiar with the relationship (Rodgers) has with Nathaniel. And they’re very, very good friends that go back a long way,” Ulbrich said. “He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision. And I’m fortunate for that. So, I talked to him, I talked to a lot of offensive players — and defensive players for that matter — before making this decision.”
Ulbrich was named the interim coach on Tuesday, the same day the Jets fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start.
Ulbrich, 47, was hired by Saleh as the Jets’ defensive coordinator in January 2021. He was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after coaching their linebackers from 2015-19. He played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000-09.
Under Ulbrich this season, the Jets rank second in total defense (255.8 yards per game allowed), fourth in sacks (18) and tied for fifth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg).
