A surprising coaching carousel is spinning, and Nathaniel Hackett is at its center! You might have heard whispers about him heading to Miami, but the Arizona Cardinals have swooped in with a significant move. On Tuesday, the Cardinals officially announced they are bringing in Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator. This news, confirmed by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo on Wednesday, marks a pivotal first major hire for new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur.
Hackett's journey to Arizona is quite the plot twist. He was reportedly on the verge of joining the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks coach. However, in a turn of events that has the NFL buzzing, Hackett, who previously served as the head coach for the Denver Broncos and the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, will now be heading west with a more prominent role.
But here's where it gets interesting... Hackett was once considered a rising star in the coaching world. From 2019 to 2021, he was the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. During this period, he was instrumental in orchestrating the league's No. 1 offense in 2020, a year when Aaron Rodgers clinched back-to-back MVP awards. His success then was undeniable. However, his stock has seen a dip since then, particularly after a challenging one-year stint as the Denver Broncos head coach in 2022, followed by what many considered an unsuccessful reunion with Rodgers as the Jets' OC in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
And this is the part most people miss... Hackett's successful run in Green Bay actually coincided with Mike LaFleur's older brother, Matt LaFleur, who held the position of offensive play-caller as the Packers' head coach. Now, with Mike LaFleur himself stating on Tuesday that he plans to call plays on offense for the Cardinals, we could be looking at a similar LaFleur-Hackett dynamic taking shape in Arizona.
Their immediate and most pressing challenge? Solving the Cardinals' quarterback dilemma surrounding Kyler Murray. Murray, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, only managed to appear in five games last season due to a foot injury, leaving his future with the team uncertain. While LaFleur confirmed he's been in contact with Murray since his hiring, he remained tight-lipped about the quarterback's status heading into what is clearly a crucial offseason for the franchise.
So, what are your thoughts on this unexpected hire? Do you believe the LaFleur-Hackett pairing can reignite Hackett's coaching career and turn the Cardinals around? Or do you think the past struggles will follow them? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
