When New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters Thursday that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would be stripped of his play-calling duties in favor of passing game coordinator Todd Downing, many wondered how quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who played three seasons at Hackett in Green Bay and has maintained a good relationship with the coach, would comment on the news.

When asked about Rodgers’ reaction, Ulbrich said the veteran quarterback “supported” the move.

“It was obviously…not necessarily shocked, but we’re all familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “And they’re very, very good friends going back a long way. He understood the decision and supported the decision. And I’m lucky for that.”

“So I talked to him, I talked to a lot of attacking players – and defensive players for that matter – before I made this decision.”

Hackett was the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021, with Rodgers winning back-to-back NFL MVPs in two of those years. Rodgers spoke highly of Hackett, whom he called “arguably my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL” in a July 2023 interview. He was also a staunch defender of Hackett when he was openly criticized by Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton in an interview last year.

But the results haven’t been great for Hackett in two seasons in New York. Bogged down by Zach Wilson’s quarterback play after Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury just four times into the 2023 season, the Jets finished 31st in total yards per game and 29th in points per game in Hackett’s first year calling the plays.

With Rodgers in tow, results in 2024 haven’t been much better. Entering Week 6, New York ranks 27th in yards per game and 25th in points per game.

Rodgers, during his weekly performance on The Pat McAfee Show claimed Wednesday that his relationship with Hackett remains strong.

“Our relationship is great,” Rodgers said of Hackett. “It always has been that way and it always will be that way. There would be some things that needed to be changed regardless of what happened with Robert, and we just haven’t played consistently on offense.”

Following the firing of Robert Saleh and the demotion of Hackett, the Jets’ operation will feature a new head coach and play-caller heading into a crucial Week 6 game against the division rival Buffalo Bills.