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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur reacting in the middle of photo-ops.
Another plot twist in the path for a hated former New York Jets coach.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the Arizona Cardinals are hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. He originally accepted a job to become the Miami Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach, but he is backing out of that deal for a job upgrade.
“Hackett, 46, was the offensive coordinator for three seasons under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Now, he teams up with Mike LaFleur in Arizona,” Pelissero explained.
The Cardinals are hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator, sources tell The Insiders.
Hackett, 46, was the offensive coordinator for three seasons under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Now, he teams up with Mike LaFleur in Arizona.
It’s a bizarre pairing and an interesting twist of fate.
LaFleur was the Jets’ offensive coordinator for two seasons from 2021-22. He was fired or parted ways (depending on who you spoke with) with the Jets following that second campaign. Robert Saleh replaced LaFleur with Nathaniel Hackett.
Now the two former Jets offensive coordinators are united on the same team.
Of Course There Is a Jets Revenge Game on the Schedule
Double trouble!
The Jets are scheduled to travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals in 2026. We won’t know exactly when that game will happen until the 2026 NFL schedule drops in mid-May.
Whenever that game takes places the Jets will see a pair of familiar faces in LaFleur and Hackett. Could they see a third familiar face?
There has been speculation on social media that Arizona is now a potential landing spot for future Pro Football Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
The first female scout in NFL history, Connie Carberg, posted on social media, “Is Aaron Rodgers going there?”
There is a strong chance, if Rodgers decides to keep playing, that he just stays in Pittsburgh and reunites with his old ball coach, Mike McCarthy, who is now the Steelers’ head coach.
Hot and Heavy Jets Coaching Staff Rumors
Frank Reich was officially hired as the offensive coordinator of the Jets on Wednesday, February 4.
That was a big item off the checklist for Aaron Glenn, but there are still several holes to fill on the staff.
“Greg Roman was one of the people considered for this offensive coordinator job. It’s going to be interesting to see if he ends up taking a position on this staff, perhaps, run game,” Insider Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network.
Interesting nugget from @RapSheet on #Jets offensive coaching staff:
“Greg Roman was one of the people considered for this offensive coordinator job. It’s going to be interesting to see if he ends up taking a position on this staff, perhaps, run game.” 🧐 https://t.co/IFUf4wOTV0
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) February 4, 2026
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic confirmed the idea of Roman potentially being added to Reich’s staff is something that is “at least being discussed” in the building.
More Greg Roman – #Jets coaching smoke.
We’ve seen it from @RapSheet, now @ZackBlatt:
“Greg Roman as run game coordinator would be a positive — and that’s something at least being discussed.”
I’m pleased with the Reich NYJ OC hire, a Roman addition would make me feel even… https://t.co/q5qCw09zI6
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) February 4, 2026
Reich has a long, successful track record of working with quarterbacks. That’ll come in handy for the Jets. However, head coach Aaron Glenn’s identity has been running the football down people’s throats.
Something that would pair very nicely with Reich is Greg Roman. In theory, Roman could be hired as the team’s run game coordiator and you could get the best of both worlds.
An experienced veteran play caller who can raise the floor of this offense and then a mastermind maximizing the run game.
The Jets have been a human punching bag this offseason, being labeled as a dysfunctional franchise. However, this new development could bring some newfound respect to the green and white and increase the optimism ahead of the 2026 season.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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