Before he was named the Jets play-caller Wednesday, passing game coordinator Todd Downing had spent the last few months building a close relationship with QBs Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor as their quarterbacks coach.
Because of that connection, when the Jets take the field Monday night against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills, both Jets signal callers are confident the offense will be able to rebound.
"I love Todd, and he is a great dude," Rodgers said. "He is phenomenal quarterbacks coach, and I have told him that several times. He is deliberate with drills, and he brings the right mindset to the room. He gives a voice to me and Tyrod in the room. It has been a really good working relationship. I am excited to get to work."
Downing, in his second season with the Jets, served as the offensive coordinator for the Titans in 2021-22. In '21, Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill threw for 3,734 yards, totaled 28 total touchdowns (21 passing, 7 rushing) and the unit was No. 4 in red zone efficiency (64.1%). Tennessee finished 12-5, the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
"I just met him when I signed this past spring, but we have already connected," Taylor said. "I have nothing but respect for him. I think he has a great feel for what the room likes and has a good pulse on the offense obviously being in his second year with it. We are very comfortable with him."
After averaging 22.3 points per game the first three games this season, the Jets' offense has slipped the last few weeks totaling 26 points in two games. For the unit to get back on track under Downing, Rodgers believes it starts with running the ball more efficiently.
During the Jets two-game losing streak, which featured losses to Denver and Minnesota, the team has averaged 2.6 yards per carry. Under Downing in 2021, the Titans led the NFL in rush attempts (551), were No. 5 in yards (2,404) and No. 3 in touchdowns (23). The unit ran for fewer than 90 yards twice and never went for fewer than 65 yards.
"I don't think the process will change all that much because he was in on all of those conversations we have been having throughout the week," Rodgers said. "It will be a different voice on the headset, but I don't think the process throughout the week will change."
When Rodgers was a member of the Packers, OC Tom Clements called the plays for the first 12 games before HC Mike McCarthy took over in Week 14. The team increased its points per game and reached the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
Rodgers, in his experience with changing play callers' midseason, doesn't expect immediate improvement massive improvements to happen immediately, but with Downing on the headset, Rodgers thinks the offense can back on track.
"You can't make wholesale changes in a week," Rodgers said. "I have two basic experiences with changing play caller, in '15 and '18. Not much changed right away there. There is a little bit of different personality sprinkled in but if you want wholesale changes it takes a lot of time and I think we can get there.
"I think a lot of success playing for Todd will boil down to us going out and executing, regardless of who is calling the plays. I think as a group, we can all be much better when it comes to execution."
