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The Green Bay Packers have hired former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday afternoon.
Former #Jaguars OC Nathaniel Hackett is headed to Green Bay, as the #Packers are hiring him as their new offensive coordinator, source said. He’ll absolutely challenge and engage Aaron Rodgers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2019
Hackett completed an interview with the Detroit Lions on Friday and was speculated to be one of the favorites for the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position. Instead, he will now be coordinating for one of the Lions’ NFC North rivals.
The news comes only a day after the Cleveland Browns hired Todd Monken, who the Lions had scheduled an interview with. Last week, Steve Sarkisian, another high profile potential hire for Detroit, joined the coaching staff of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
At the moment, there are no other reported interviews set up between the Lions and any candidates. However, there is a possibility that some interviews were done without media knowledge.
The Lions offensive coordinator role became vacant after the team elected not to retain Jim Bob Cooter at the end of the 2018 season. Cooter had served as the teams offensive coordinator since 2015.