Nathaniel Hackett, who recently joined the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks coach, is already gaining attention for a potential opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals. Reports by Matt Zenitz indicate that Hackett is among the “early possibilities” to fill the offensive coordinator position for Arizona, following the hiring of Mike LaFleur as the team’s new head coach.
This development is notable as Hackett’s tenure with the Dolphins began less than a week ago, making the prospect of a swift departure surprising. The Cardinals are in the initial phases of assembling their coaching staff, and Hackett emerges as the first candidate linked to the OC role.
Hackett, 46, has an extensive coaching background that began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006, where he first served as an offensive quality control coach. His journey in the NFL has included similar roles with the Buffalo Bills, promotions to offensive coordinator at Syracuse and with the Bills again under head coach Doug Marrone, and a tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars as their offensive coordinator. He later moved to the Green Bay Packers, where he again ascended to offensive coordinator before taking the helm as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Unfortunately, his time in Denver was challenging, culminating in a 4-11 record that led to his mid-season dismissal. Hackett quickly transitioned to become the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets in the 2023 season but faced difficulties there as well, with the Jets finishing near the bottom in several offensive categories. Despite this, he was later brought back by the Packers in a consulting capacity before being hired by Miami.
As the Dolphins look to bolster their offensive strategy with Hackett’s experience, the potential of him transitioning to the Cardinals could create significant shifts in both teams. The NFL is known for its rapidly evolving coaching dynamics, and Hackett’s ability to adapt will be under scrutiny if he pursues this new role.
This situation highlights the fluid nature of coaching in the NFL, where opportunities can emerge almost immediately following new hires, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of professional football.