Tanner Engstrand Aims to Break Jets’ Long Run of OC Struggles

The offensive coordinator role for the New York Jets is one of the most unstable in the NFL. On average, each hire lasts about 18 months. It’s become the kind of job where you rent, not buy. Tanner Engstrand, 42, is the newest to take on the challenge. It’s his first time as an NFL coordinator, and he follows a long line of coaches who haven’t stuck. Engstrand becomes the Jets’ 10th OC and 11th playcaller in the past 15 seasons—a span marked by frequent change and disappointing results.

Another Chapter in a Pattern of Change

Last season alone, the Jets made a midseason switch when Todd Downing replaced Nathaniel Hackett as the playcaller, though he didn’t take the coordinator title. If he had, the Jets would be tied with the Chicago Bears for the most offensive coordinators since 2009.

Over the years, the Jets have cycled through all kinds of coaches: former head coaches (Tony Sparano, Chan Gailey), veteran coordinators (Marty Mornhinweg, Dowell Loggains), and first-timers (Mike LaFleur, John Morton). Only Brian Schottenheimer lasted more than two seasons. He ran the offense from 2006 to 2011 and was in charge the last time the Jets made the playoffs.

Engstrand Brings Detroit Experience

Engstrand comes from the high-powered Detroit Lions offense, which led the NFL with 564 points in 2023. He worked under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell, helping design one of the league’s most effective scoring units.

“Tanner, look, he’s got some experience, he does,” Campbell said in March. “He’s called plays before. It wasn’t in the NFL, but he’s done this. He has organized game plans. He helped Ben a ton, helped me. He’s an upbeat guy.”

His playcalling history includes a brief stint in the XFL with the D.C. Defenders in 2020 and a seven-year run at the University of San Diego. He began his coaching journey with Jim Harbaugh and later joined Harbaugh again at Michigan in 2018.

Building a Lions-Like Offense in New York

In New York, Engstrand is expected to bring a similar offensive style to what the Lions ran. He’ll rely on former Detroit tight ends coach Steve Heiden, who now leads the offensive line and run game, and passing game coordinator Scott Turner, a former NFL coordinator and son of Norv Turner.

“It’s going to be a physical system,” Turner said. “We’re going to run the football, we’re going to be aggressive up front and try to chase explosive plays [in the passing game]. … That’s what we’re going to be hunting.”

From Goff to Fields: A New Kind of Quarterback

One of the biggest adjustments for Engstrand will be switching from pocket passer Jared Goff to Justin Fields, a mobile, dual-threat quarterback. But Engstrand sees it as an opportunity, not a hurdle.

“Fields just gives us more options,” Engstrand said. “His running ability adds another layer to what we can do with where we’re going on offense.”

The Jets traded for Fields this offseason, hoping to revive his career. He’s now on his third team in three years and enters camp as a $40 million reclamation project. Despite a rough start in Chicago, he showed some growth with the Steelers last season.

“Just talking to him, you can tell he’s smart,” Fields said of Engstrand, his fourth coordinator in five years. “He knows what he’s doing. I think he’s very detailed with installing the plays and stuff like that, especially in the limited time that we have now. He’s putting a lot on the guys’ plate, our plate, but I think in the long run it’ll help us.”

A History of Offensive Woes

The pressure on Engstrand is heavy. The Jets haven’t been able to find the right coordinator-quarterback combination in over a decade. Since 2015, they haven’t finished higher than 23rd in scoring. Even future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers couldn’t fix things before his season-ending injury last year.

Over the last 15 seasons, the Jets rank dead last in points per game (17.5) and QBR (40.1). Some former players—like Geno Smith and Sam Darnold—have found success elsewhere. Even Schottenheimer, the last OC to find stability, went on to become the Cowboys’ current playcaller.

A Chance to Change the Narrative

Now, it’s Tanner Engstrand’s turn to try and turn things around in New York. He’s walking into one of the NFL’s toughest jobs—one that has burned through many before him. But with new voices, fresh ideas, and a quarterback with untapped potential, he may have the tools to make a difference.

You’re up, Tanner.

This report used information from ESPN.