During the offseason, rumors circulated that Aaron Rodgers lacked full confidence in New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Those rumblings were reignited after a moment from Monday night’s game drew widespread attention, fueling speculation about their relationship.
The Jets suffered a 32-19 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Rodgers had a modest performance, completing 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, the real talk of the night centered on a sideline interaction between Rodgers and Hackett. In the first quarter, ESPN cameras captured Hackett leaning in to show Rodgers something on a tablet. Rodgers, instead of engaging, appeared to be looking away in the opposite direction, which many interpreted as a snub.
While it’s entirely possible Rodgers was distracted by something else on the sideline, fans and analysts alike were quick to jump on the clip, speculating that Rodgers may not be fully tuned in to Hackett’s coaching. The incident came across to some as a sign of disinterest or even disengagement, further amplifying doubts about Hackett’s role in shaping the Jets’ offense.
Rodgers also changed several plays at the line of scrimmage throughout the game, a move that isn’t unusual for a quarterback of his caliber but raised eyebrows given the ongoing speculation about Hackett’s influence. Some observers saw it as evidence that Rodgers, rather than Hackett, might be the real offensive decision-maker on the field.
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This chatter is rooted in a report from earlier in the offseason, which claimed the Jets were considering stripping Hackett of significant decision-making power, a plan that Rodgers allegedly supported.
Rodgers had pushed back on those claims, but moments like Monday’s sideline clip only serve to keep the speculation alive.
Monday’s game was also Rodgers’ first regular-season appearance since suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season, making it difficult to draw any sweeping conclusions about his play or the team’s overall performance.
However, the attention paid to his brief interaction with Hackett highlights just how scrutinized their relationship will be throughout the season. Fans and critics alike seem poised to interpret every glance, gesture, and decision as part of a larger narrative about who’s really in charge of the Jets’ offense.
