Nathaniel Hackett spurns Dolphins to become Cardinals offensive coordinator

The coaching carousel never stops in the NFL — even when you land a new job.

Nathaniel Hackett agreed to join the Dolphins as their new quarterbacks coach last week, but is now spurning Miami to become the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Hackett, instead of joining new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, will instead work for another first-time NFL head coach in Mike LaFleur.

Interestingly enough, LaFleur held the Jets’ offensive coordinator job from 2021-22 and was replaced by Hackett the following season when Gang Green brought in quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Hackett, in the middle of the 2024 season, was stripped of play-calling duties as things turned sour in what became a 5-12 campaign that included the midyear firing of head coach Robert Saleh.

After two disappointing seasons in New York, the Jets changed regimes and Hackett was not brought back onto Aaron Glenn’s staff. Hackett worked this past season as a defensive analyst for the Packers under Hafley, the defensive coordinator who took the Dolphins head coaching job.

LaFleur — the Rams’ OC the last three seasons after his Jets departure — told reporters Tuesday that he will be the one calling plays in Arizona.

Arizona relied heavily on backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett this past season, as he started 12 games and finished with solid numbers: 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. But the Cardinals were near the bottom of the NFL in scoring offense, coming in at 20th in points per game at 20.9.

The elephant in the room now is Kyler Murray and if Arizona’s new staff believes in him as the quarterback of the future — or even for 2026. The dual-threat quarterback played in just five games this past season but is playing under a $230.5 million contract extension that keeps him in the fold through 2028, if Arizona doesn’t decide to cut ties.

“I have a lot of respect for him as a player,” LaFleur said of Murray during his introductory press conference. “Having the five years having to go against him, a lot of respect for him as a player and he was never a fun challenge to go against.”