The all-time player for the Green Bay Packers has consistently recommended to the head coach that the team add a striker to help them accomplish their goals.
Nathaniel Hackett, the offensive coordinator for the Packers, is expected to interview for several head coaching positions this cycle.
According to NFL Network, he is in discussions with the Bears and Broncos regarding their openings on Saturday and the Jaguars about their vacancy on Friday. Hackett only had one interview with the Falcons last year, which took place prior to Arthur Smith’s hiring.
In terms of total expected points added (No. 1 in each of the last two seasons), Hackett, 42, is head coach Matt LaFleur’s right-hand man and the leader of what has been the NFL’s No. 2 offense during their three seasons with Green Bay, according to TruMedia.
More unexpected is that Luke Getsy, the 37-year-old quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Packers, will be interviewed for the head coaching position of the Broncos. It’s possible that Denver is getting ready to pursue Aaron Rodgers in the offseason by expressing interest in both Hackett and a position that Rodgers holds in high regard. However, those who know Getsy best think he’s prepared for the chance regardless of the situation.
Luke has done a fantastic job, in my opinion,” LaFleur remarked on Wednesday. He’s a fantastic teacher, team player, and communicator. His perspective on the game seems correct to me. He exudes such a wonderful presence. Players are drawn to him, so this is a great chance for him. It’s also a chance for another guy, who we would be sad to lose but would be happy for him and his family to have.”
“Do I believe he’s prepared? Absolutely, in my opinion. I believe he did a fantastic job. I believe he is an excellent communicator. He has excellent command. People, I believe, have faith in him. He is sincere. He is a decent man. He is humane. I believe that he possesses every trait you could possibly want in a leader.
At the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Akron, where he played quarterback, Getsy helped the Zips win their first Mid-American Conference championship in 2005. In 2007, he started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Akron following a brief stay with the 49ers. He began his career with the Packers in 2014 as an offensive quality control coach. In 2016 and 2017, he took on the role of wide receivers coach. Getsy returned to Green Bay as the quarterbacks coach in 2019 after serving as Mississippi State’s offensive coordinator in 2018. Before the 2020 campaign, he was given the additional title of passing game coordinator.
Before a preseason game in August, Luke Getsy embraces quarterback Jordan Love of the Packers. (Associated Press / Jeffrey Phelps)
According to TruMedia, the Packers have the best passing offense in the NFL over the last two seasons in terms of total EPA. Getsy has improved more quarterbacks than just Aaron Rodgers and the others. Davante Adams’ college position coach and longtime personal coach, Keith Williams, the coordinator of the Ravens passing game, was the subject of an earlier this season question. Without being asked, Adams spoke highly of Getsy’s influence on him.
After struggling in 2014 and 2015, Adams praised his wide receivers coach, Getsy, calling him “one of the unsung heroes” of the first two successful years of his career. “Having Luke Getsy as a coach was something I truly, truly enjoyed. Because Gets played quarterback and I had a lot of respect for him and what he did with us, his detailed analysis of the wide receiver position opened my eyes even more than Williams’ earlier teachings. He is a man attempting to become an expert in his field. And because he threw to James, I find it funny that he managed a room similar to mine, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and James Jones. He was his guy because he was the quarterback in the college all-star game, and now he’s coming here and telling him what to do. However, I adore it, dude.
“Getsy actually played the game with a couple of my former junior college teammates, crazy enough,” said Rodgers. He also mentioned that Getsy’s ability to command an audience in front of a group of people is a quality that he believes is crucial for a head coach. “He’s almost 38 years old and exudes a wonderful energy,” the speaker said.
Getsy’s name was mentioned when the Akron head coaching position became available earlier in the season due to his close relationship with the university. If Hackett is hired as a head coach, he ought to be given more consideration for head coaching positions at other levels or, in the very least, for the position of offensive coordinator with the Packers.
Getsy remarked, “I’ve had the amazing fortune to learn from a ton of amazing coaches as well as great players.” “My time here has been exceptional, and I’m grateful for every person I’ve had the opportunity to work with in this building. I also had a great experience, as I was able to see firsthand the caliber of players entering the NFL and the college game by taking a year off from playing.
“Besides from being a part of this community, I’ve had an amazing experience. In terms of future growth, you will undoubtedly continue to expand. I’m privileged to spend every day with Matt and Hack, and I can never stop learning from them. Yes, our guys deserve those opportunities because we’ve had a lot of success, and hopefully I’ll be involved in whatever comes to pass. However, as you stated, I believe that everything will work itself out if you continue to rule your role and the one you currently hold.