FLORHAM PARK, N.J. >> Jeff Ulbrich shook up the New York Jets’ struggling offense in his first major move as interim head coach.

Ulbrich announced Thursday he replaced Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offensive play caller. Downing, the Jets’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, takes over as New York prepares for a showdown with the AFC East-rival Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

Hackett — who is close to quarterback Aaron Rodgers — will remain the offensive coordinator in title, but is taking a back seat to Downing in what is now an undefined role.

“After a lot of time to think about it, and I did not make this decision easily, by any means, I’m going to make Todd Downing the play caller for the New York Jets moving forward,” Ulbrich said. “This is more a byproduct of a different take on things. Not saying it’s a better or worse take on things, by any means.

“But it’s just a different take on things. A fresh approach.”

Ulbrich took over as coach Tuesday after owner Woody Johnson stunningly fired Robert Saleh with the team off to a 2-3 start and on a two-game losing streak. New York can move into a tie with Buffalo for first place in the division with a win.

But things need to get a lot better on offense first for that to happen.

The Jets with Rodgers at quarterback have been inconsistent this season and appeared conservative and predictable in the team’s past two games, in particular. Hackett’s performance has been criticized by many fans and media, who thought the Jets needed a change. There were reports Saleh was considering making a similar move to demote Hackett before he was fired.

Ulbrich, who said he’ll retain his duties as defensive coordinator while also serving as interim coach, agreed with trying something different.

“Ultimately, Todd will have the full say on the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game,” Ulbrich said.

New York is ranked 27th overall in offense and last in the NFL in rushing.

“We’ve got to be assertive,” Ulbrich said. “We’ve got to play with confidence. We’ve got to run off the ball. We’ve got to play on our terms. Can’t be afraid of mistakes and half-stepping. ...

“And I’m very confident we’re going to see that Monday night.”

Ulbrich said he spoke to Rodgers, who is close to Hackett from their time together in Green Bay, about the move and trying to improve the offense. Hackett was hired in 2023 to replace Mike LaFleur — and Rodgers was traded to the Jets a few months later.

“It was obviously, not necessarily shock, but we all are familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “They’re very, very good friends and they go back a long ways.

“He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision.”

Steelers’ Pickens says he was unaware OF rules banning messages on eye black >> Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens said he was unaware of the NFL rule prohibiting players from writing messages on their eye black during games.

Pickens wrote a message that included an expletive during Pittsburgh’s 20-17 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. The third-year pro finished with three catches for a season-low 26 yards against the Cowboys with the phrase “open (expletive) always” stretched under his eyes and across his nose.

“Never seen (the rule) before,” Pickens said Thursday. “Have you seen it before?”

When it was pointed out the defensive tackle Cam Heyward was fined in 2015 for writing the nickname of his father — former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward — on his eye black, the 23-year-old shrugged.

“Years ago, when I wasn’t in the league?” Pickens responded. “No.”

Pickens said “it was just eye black” when asked if there was any intent behind the decision and said he had not yet heard from the league about any potential fines.