Nathaniel Hackett is back in Green Bay, but this time he’s switching sides.
The former Packers offensive coordinator has returned to the team in a completely new role. Hackett will now serve as a defensive analyst, bringing his offensive expertise into meetings with the other side of the ball.
Packers bring back Nathaniel Hackett to help defense in surprise twist
Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the move Thursday, describing it as an opportunity to give the defense a different kind of insight.
“He’s going to help us look at things through the offensive lens,” LaFleur said. “That perspective is valuable when you're trying to tighten things up defensively.”
Hackett spent three seasons with the Packers from 2019 to 2021, helping shape the offense around Aaron Rodgers. After that, he took a shot at head coaching with the Broncos in 2022 but was let go after a rough 4-11 start. He then moved on to the Jets, where he served as offensive coordinator. That tenure didn’t last either—New York’s offense slumped, and Hackett was replaced as playcaller before the season ended.
Now, he’s back where his NFL rise began.
The Packers have used this kind of role before. Last season, former Jets head coach Robert Saleh worked briefly with the team, offering an outside viewpoint on the offense despite his defensive background.
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Hackett is now doing the reverse, joining defensive meetings and spending time in the linebacker room. It’s an unusual setup, but one that LaFleur believes can shake things up.
“You get used to seeing things one way. When someone with a different background joins the conversation, it challenges your assumptions,” LaFleur said.
Hackett’s recent track record hasn’t been great. The Jets finished 27th in total yards last season and 25th in scoring. Denver didn’t fare much better under his leadership two years ago.
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