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Jets to Part Ways With Tanner Engstrand

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Michael Zimmelman | Last updated Jan 27, 2026 2:56 PM ET

The offseason will continue to shake things up. Every team is expected to make moves in both their roster and their coaching staff. Thus far, few teams have had as many big changes as the New York Jets. Entering January, the team was looking for Steve Wilks replacement as defensive coordinator. Now, he won’t be the only coordinator position that will look different. Despite leading New York to a top ten running game, the failures of the passing game have led to steep consequences. Unfortunately, after only one season as offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand will not return to the staff in 2026. As a result, Aaron Glenn will need to think fast to replace both coordinator positions.

Jets to Part Ways With Tanner Engstrand

As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets will no longer retain Tanner Engstrand’s services. The longtime Detroit Lions assistant coach joined Aaron Glenn’s staff last year to serve as his offensive coordinator. The move was a calculated risk at the time. While Engstrand had no prior OC experience in the NFL before, he spent the previous five seasons on the Detroit Lions offensive staff. He worked closely with Lions offensive coordinator and future Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Engstrand spent time as both tight ends coach and passing game coordinator in Detroit, aiding in the development of premier tight ends like TJ Hockenson and Sam LaPorta.

Jets HC Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand had multiple conversations about the role moving forward. Ultimately, they made the mutual decision to move on. The Jets’ search for a new OC will start immediately. https://t.co/Cvl6UzDa2k

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026

However, despite that experience, it led to limited success in New York this year. The Jets finished 29th in total yards per game. In addition, the passing game finished dead last in yards per game. After the regression of quarterback Justin Fields, New York simply couldn’t move the ball in the air. The only saving grace for Tanner Ensgstrand was star running back Breece Hall leading a top-ten running game. For the season, New York averaged 123.3 rushing yards per game. Despite the offense’s shortcomings, there was hope that Engstrand would be retained in 2026 . Now, the team will look for a new voice as offensive playcaller. With Engstrand no longer on the staff, one could expect him to reunite with Dan Campbell in Detroit. Or, perhaps join Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago.

Potential replacements?

Things are progressing between the #Jets & Frank Reich, per sources. We’ll see if New York can get it done. They’re trying.

Would be a big get for Aaron Glenn’s offensive staff. Reich won a Super Bowl as OC of the Eagles (2016-2017), although Doug Pederson called plays. Served… pic.twitter.com/jRac1h9VBX

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 27, 2026

New York will need to move quickly to find a new offensive coordinator. One option gaining momentum has been veteran coach Frank Reich. Since being fired as the Carolina Panthers head coach in 2023, Reich spent the past year serving as the interim head coach for Stanford. Due to Reich’s nearly 20 years of coaching experience and his over-decade-long tenure as a backup quarterback, it could be a step in the right direction. If Reich were hired, this would be the New York native’s second tenure with the team since playing for the Jets in 1996. Initially, the backup quarterback, Reich, started seven games in the 1996 season.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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