The New York Jets have hired former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing as their passing-game coordinator, a source revealed to ESPN on Monday. In addition to helping the Jets reshape their offensive abilities, Downing also provides the team with trade options during the offseason due to his ties with highly sought-after quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Derek Carr.
NFL Network also reported the appointment, which is the latest move in head coach Robert Saleh’s efforts to rebuild the Jets’ frontline following a disappointing season. Saleh’s biggest move to date in terms of this overhaul was replacing offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur with Nathaniel Hackett. He also replaced offensive line coach John Benton with Keith Carter.
Downing was the Oakland Raiders’ quarterback coach in 2015 and 2016 as well as their coordinator in 2017, before making his move to the Titans.
Last November, Downing made headlines as he was arrested on a DUI charge, serving a 48-hour jail sentence as a result. While he was kept on at the Titians following this controversy, he was ultimately dismissed at the end of the season as the Titans came second in the AFC South.
