Nathaniel Hackett’s coaching strategies look like pre-K curriculum

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard revealed offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s unique coaching strategies.

New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has taken the spotlight in recent days, and it’s not due to what he did or said. It’s because of what Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said about him. Taking over for the Broncos, Payton laid into Hackett in an interview with USA Today when discussing how the longtime assistant coach performed in his lone year as head coach in Denver. That created quite the stir, riling up Jets players like quarterback Aaron Rodgers and offensive tackle Billy Turner.

On Tuesday, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard talked about Hackett, who served in the same role on the NFC North team from 2019 until 2021. Lazard then discussed Hackett’s coaching strategies, saying that the coordinator “gets a room of grown men making animal noises.”

Let Lazard explain for himself.

Allen Lazard reveals Nathaniel Hackett’s ‘wild’ coaching strategy

"“It may not make too much sense,” Lazard said, h/t the New York Post. “…but it’s about the play. Whether it’s a name. Whether it’s a whale, a kangaroo, a pony, a shark. You’d have to sit in the room to hear [the sounds], but he’s the only person who can get grown men to do something like that. I’ve never experienced something like that in my career — different organizations and different coaches I’ve had.”"

While it is a “wild strategy,” Lazard stresses that it does help the players remember the plays that they will run. So, there’s that.

Hackett became the brunt of jokes in the NFL last season due to his disastrous tenure as Broncos head coach. Week 1, Hackett killed much-needed time off the clock before settling for what turned out to be the failed 60-plus-yard field goal. Week 2, Broncos fans at their home opener began counting down the play clock in unison as the team failed to get a play off in time. Then, there was the Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Rams, where the Broncos were blown out 51-14, and players got into an altercation on the sidelines. One day after that game, Hackett was fired.

This offseason, Hackett was hired by the Jets to be their new offensive coordinator. Later on, the team brought in Rodgers, who has long defended and praised Hackett during their time together in Green Bay.

As mentioned earlier, Payton didn’t hold back when discussing Hackett’s job last year. Specifically, Payton said it “might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history.” That got head coach Robert Saleh and Rodgers to respond to the comments, and they both defended Hackett.

Hackett would respond to Payton’s criticism, saying they “violated the coach’s code.” Besides that, Hackett took the high road.

The expectations for the Jets are high this upcoming season, especially on the offensive side of the ball with the additions of Rodgers, Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Mecole Hardman.