Jets' Todd Downing navigating new responsibilities as play-caller
Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing watches warmups before an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Nov. 19, 2023. Credit: AP/Adrian Kraus
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Todd Downing has worked closely with Aaron Rodgers since last season, but never this close. Downing’s voice will be the one Rodgers hears in his helmet during games now.
Downing is the Jets’ new offensive play-caller. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the fired Robert Saleh, took play-calling responsibilities away from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and gave them to Downing.
Ulbrich hopes this will jump-start the Jets’ underachieving offense when they host the Bills on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.
Downing, a former Raiders and Titans coordinator, looks forward to leading an offense again, but he has mixed feelings. Downing referred to Hackett as “one of the greatest men I know” and said he loves him.
“Getting an opportunity like this, which is an incredible opportunity, definitely came with a bittersweet taste,” Downing said before practice Friday. “A lot of different emotions go through your brain. It’s an unbelievable opportunity. I’m excited to do my best to help.”
It’s an unusual situation. Hackett wasn’t fired. He’s staying on, with the same title, and is helping Downing, the Jets’ passing game coordinator since last year.
Game-planning and play-calling are Downing’s now. Hackett’s role is undefined at this point. Ulbrich, who said Hackett has “the heart of a servant,” and Downing have effusively praised Hackett.
“From the moment the switch occurred, he walked into my office and told me he wanted to support me and see me succeed in this role,” Downing said. “He put his ego aside. He is an absolute servant. It really has been humbling to watch how he’s handled this.”
The Jets (2-3) needed a shake-up on offense after scoring two touchdowns in their last 29 possessions. The Jets were ranked next-to-last in total offense last season. They’re 27th this year and last in rushing offense.
“This team does have a strong run game,” Downing said. “We just haven’t seen it come to fruition consistently enough.”
In two seasons as Titans offensive coordinator, Downing finished 17th and 30th in total offense. They were No. 5 in rushing offense in 2021 and top eight in red-zone conversion rate both seasons. Having Derrick Henry helped those metrics.
Downing hopes he’s “wiser” and “sharper” now. He and Ulbrich have some similar philosophies that could lead to the Jets playing more physically on offense.
“I expect those guys to gravitate toward the physicality [Ulbrich] likes out of the game of football, the opportunity to create one-on-one battles where you know at the end of the play who got the best of who,” Downing said.
Rodgers and Hackett are close friends, and Rodgers said he backed Ulbrich’s decision. Downing has built a good relationship with Rodgers. They’ve been in all offensive and position meetings. Downing, who also is quarterbacks coach, had a voice in those meetings.
“I love Todd. Todd’s a great dude,” Rodgers said. “He’s been a phenomenal quarterback coach. I told him that many times. He’s deliberate to drills. He brings the right mindset to the room.”
Working that closely with Rodgers and Hackett, Downing said he picked up some things that will help him relate to the quarterback.
“I think I’ve kind of learned a different language that way in some regards,” Downing said. “Things are going to come out a little differently. There is going to be a process of figuring out the best way to communicate with him. I want to be an open book to how I can best serve him and every one of our players.”
Rodgers is coming off two unimpressive games. He matched his career high by throwing three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, but Downing expects him to bounce back.
“Aaron himself has said the last couple of weeks aren’t up to his standard, but that does not necessarily sound an alarm,” Downing said. “He knows how to prepare. He knows how to diagnose defenses. He knows how to run the show on offense. That’s what we’re anticipating this week.”
Notes & quotes: Haason Reddick, who remains a holdout over a contract dispute, was dropped by his agency, according to multiple reports. Reddick’s holdout has cost him about $10 million in fines and lost wages thus far . . . Offensive line coach Keith Carter said he feels “responsible just as much as anybody” for Hackett getting demoted.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
