Nathaniel Hackett says he is pressing in games, experimenting with too many things

Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been ridiculed all season long for either a lack of aggressiveness or lack of creativity, or whatever the case may be. He understands the issues and even pointed the finger at himself during his media availability Thursday.

Hackett believes many players on offense are pressing, including running back Breece Hall. However, Hackett put himself at the forefront, saying even he has been pressing this season.

When asked what he meant by that, Hackett said, “Sometimes it’s experimenting with too many new things or trying to take too many shots. Sometimes, you just have to let them go out and play.”

Nathaniel Hackett said that even he’s pressing. Asked what that means: “Sometimes it’s experimenting with too many new things or trying to take too many shots. Sometimes, you just have to let them go out and play.”

I must’ve missed the part of the game where they were taking…

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 30, 2023

It’s interesting he mentions taking too many shots considering the Jets don’t exactly take as many shots as he’d like to let on. Only 22 of Zach Wilson’s 321 attempts have gone at least 20 yards. 24 quarterbacks have thrown more passes 20 yards downfield. Even Joshua Dobbs has thrown more (28). Tim Boyle has thrown 52 passes. None have gone 20 yards while only four have gone ten yards.

Hackett is obviously talking in coach-speak to make things seem good, but numbers and film don’t lie. The Jets have been very conservative this season. There’s no creativity with the offense, so maybe it is time to experiment with new things. The Jets need something to try and save their season, a season that is already all but lost at 4-7 heading into Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons.