Packers bring back a familiar face in hopes of recapturing the gold zone magic, but now on the other side of the ball
Nobody was more efficient in the redzone than the 2019/2020 Green Bay Packers. Second in the first year under Matt LaFleur (67.86%) and first in the second (76.81%) in touchdown rate in the final part of the field, the Packers were as dangerous as anyone to score. It has regressed to some degree since 2021, […]
Nobody was more efficient in the redzone than the 2019/2020 Green Bay Packers. Second in the first year under Matt LaFleur (67.86%) and first in the second (76.81%) in touchdown rate in the final part of the field, the Packers were as dangerous as anyone to score. It has regressed to some degree since 2021, but returned to the top 10 in 2024. Now, LaFleur has made an interesting decision trying to recapture that magic, but on the other side of the ball.
The Packers have brought back Nathaniel Hackett. An offensive specialist, he will workd as a defensive consultant.
Different role
Hackett was the first offensive coordinator under Matt LaFleur, from 2019 through 2021. The assistant coach didn't call plays, but was an instrumental part of the staff in terms of installments and player-coach relationship. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers created a strong connection with the coordinator, and the offense used to call the redzone "the gold zone," a reference to Austin Powers movies. That connection led Hackett to failed opportunities as a head coach for the Denver Broncos and playcalling offensive coordinator for the New York Jets.
Now, Hackett is back. Even though the team didn't officially announce him as a part of the coaching staff, Hackett was in Green Bay for the first day of training camp on Wednesday. He's expected to have a similar role to the one Robert Saleh had down the stretch last year, bringing a different perspective for the other side of the ball.
Over the past few years, LaFleur has taken advantage of that role to add experience to the staff. Aubrey Pleasant, Tim Lester, Luke Getsy, and Saleh spent time on analyst or consultant roles in different degrees of participation.
Curiously, Luke Getsy returned to the Packers last year as a defensive consultant after being fired from his offensive coordinator position with the Las Vegas Raiders. In the offseason, he was hired on a full-time basis to be a senior offensive assistant. He's projected to help Sean Mannion with the quarterbacks.
Nathaniel Hackett is an experienced coach and has been in the NFL since 2006. Before taking over as the Packers OC in 2019, he had been a coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even though Hackett could replicate the Packers' success as the top playdesigner and playcaller in Denver and New York, his role to help establish LaFleur's offense in Green Bay is undeniable—and bringing him back in an advisory role is a good opportunity to help the unit to score more touchdowns in 2025.