The New York Jets are hiring former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing as their passing game coordinator, the NFL Network reported Monday.
Downing was fired by the Titans on Jan. 9, two days after the Titans season ended in Jacksonville.
The #Jets are hiring former #Titans OC Todd Downing as their new passing game coordinator, sources say, adding a veteran assistant with extensive experience to join new OC Nathaniel Hackett. Robert Saleh continues to beef up his offensive staff.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2023
Downing joined the team’s coaching staff as tight ends coach in 2019, and was on staff as Arthur Smith called plays for the No. 2 offense in the NFL in 2020. Downing was promoted to offensive coordinator when Smith became the Atlanta Falcons coach in 2021, and the Titans offense dropped to 17th in yards and 15th in scoring.
In 2022, the Titans offense struggled all year with a retooled offensive line that battled injuries and did not have a like-for-like replacement for the departed A.J. Brown as the team’s top receiver. Tennessee finished 30th in yards and 28th in points as a result, and Downing faced criticism for lack of creativity and production from the fan base before his dismissal.
Downing also was arrested on suspicion of DUI on the morning of Nov. 18 in Williamson County, hours after the Titans won against the Packers in Green Bay and after the team plane landed in Nashville. He served 48 hours in a Williamson County jail on Jan. 31.
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Tennessee hired passing game coordinator Tim Kelly as its new offensive coordinator last week.
The Jets have switched up their offensive staff heading into coach Robert Saleh’s third season. The team fired OC Mike LaFleur and hired former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett as its new offensive coordinator. ESPN reported Sunday that the Jets are one of the teams interested in acquiring Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who worked with Hackett in Green Bay. Downing has experience working with Derek Carr, who could soon be released by the Raiders according to multiple reports.