NFL Coaching Changes: Nathaniel Hackett’s New Position
The NFL coaching landscape is always shifting, even when someone secures a new role.
Nathaniel Hackett recently made headlines by joining the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks coach. However, reports are now suggesting he’s eyeing the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator position, according to multiple sources on Wednesday.
In Miami, Hackett will collaborate with head coach Jeff Hafley, but he may end up working alongside Mike LaFleur, who is also stepping into a head coaching role for the first time.
Interestingly, LaFleur was the offensive coordinator for the Jets from 2021 to 2022 but was replaced by Hackett when Aaron Rodgers joined the team the following season.
Hackett experienced challenges as he lost play-calling responsibilities midway through the 2024 season, amidst a tough 5-12 record that saw the dismissal of head coach Robert Saleh.
After a couple of tough seasons in New York, the Jets opted for a new structure, but Hackett wasn’t brought back into Aaron Glenn’s staff. Last year, he was a defensive analyst with the Packers under Hafley.
LaFleur, who recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Rams, mentioned on Tuesday that he is still determining his approach in Arizona.
Last season, the Cardinals leaned heavily on backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who had a decent run, starting 12 games with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Despite that, the team’s scoring offense ranked near the bottom, sitting at 20th with an average of 20.9 points per game.
As for Kyler Murray, he’s still part of the discussion. If the new staff in Arizona sees him as their future quarterback, he’s locked in for quite a while with a $230.5 million contract extension that runs through 2028, unless the team decides otherwise.
LaFleur expressed admiration for Murray, reflecting on their past matchups. “I respect him a lot as a player. Having played against him for five years, he was always a formidable opponent,” he shared during his introductory press conference.
