Packers may lose OC Nathaniel Hackett to head-coaching job

The Green Bay Packers could lose offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to the Jacksonville Jaguars head-coaching vacancy.

With the No. 1 seed all wrapped up in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers could potentially lose their offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to a head-coaching gig at a place he knows very well: The Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hackett left Duval to join Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay staff in 2019. Jacksonville cratered immediately upon Hackett’s departure. Now the Jaguars are looking for their third head coach in as many seasons. Jacksonville is one of only two vacancies in the NFL currently, but the franchise has begun its search for its next head coach. Hackett plans to interview with the team during the bye.

“I owed it to this organization, all these players, we wanted to wrap up that No. 1 seed,” said Hackett on Thursday. “That was so important to do. And it’s absolutely an honor to be even considered for something like this.”

“So we’re going to do it during the bye because we wrapped up that No. 1 seed. We’re really excited about that opportunity. I mean, it’s a dream for any football coach to even have an opportunity to potentially become a head coach.”

What are the chances Hackett ends up being named the next head coach of the Jaguars?

Green Bay Packers could lose OC Nathaniel Hackett to Jacksonville Jaguars

Of the many candidates interviewing for the Jacksonville gig, Hackett is one of three to keep a close eye on. The other two are former Jaguars quarterback and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich, as well as former Houston Texans head coach and current Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. These feel like the three finalists for it.

Hackett stands a good chance because he is not only flourishing in Green Bay, but represents the best of the Doug Marrone era in Jacksonville. Interestingly enough, Marrone is working with O’Brien now on Nick Saban’s staff as the Crimson Tide’s offensive line coach. Outside of Jacksonville, Hackett could be a candidate for a handful of other jobs as well, such as in Denver.

Another NFC Championship Game appearance almost certainly guarantees Hackett is getting a head-coaching gig somewhere. Whether that is with Jacksonville remains to be seen. The timing is right for him to get this next big opportunity. By getting this interview with the Jaguars out of the way before the playoffs, it might take the pressure off both parties to get a potential deal done.

If Jacksonville does not fill its vacancy right away, it might be because Hackett is their choice.