Nathaniel Hackett is returning to the NFL, this time joining the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks coach under rookie head coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Hackett, 46, is best known for his time as offensive coordinator in Green Bay and New York, as well as a brief and tumultuous stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos. His hiring represents a fresh start after a rocky few years, and he brings both experience and pedigree to a Dolphins roster still searching for stability under center.
Hackett’s most notable success came with the Packers from 2019 to 2021, when he helped Aaron Rodgers capture consecutive MVP awards and led Green Bay to the league’s top scoring offense in 2020. That performance earned him the Denver head coaching job in 2022, but the partnership with Russell Wilson faltered, and Hackett was fired before completing a full season, finishing with a 4-11 record. He returned to the sidelines as the Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2023-2024, again working with Rodgers until injury and staff changes curtailed the offense, and he eventually lost play-calling duties under Robert Saleh.
Now in Miami, Hackett inherits a quarterback room full of questions. Tua Tagovailoa’s future remains uncertain after six seasons, Zach Wilson’s tenure in New York under Hackett did little to inspire confidence, and rookie Quinn Ewers has yet to prove himself as the long-term solution.
Whoever emerges as the starter in 2026 will be under Hackett’s guidance, a coach who knows the highs and lows of working with elite quarterbacks. While speculation about a potential reunion with Rodgers is inevitable, for now Hackett’s return to the NFL marks the Dolphins’ biggest offseason development and adds a veteran presence to a team seeking direction and consistency at the game’s most critical position.
