The Jets now need two new coordinators just one year into Aaron Glenn’s time as head coach.
Tanner Engstrand is out as offensive coordinator after he and Glenn could not reach agreement on a role going forward. Glenn has been exploring different options for his coaching staff entering 2026 and decided he wanted to make a change at play-caller, but there were discussions of Engstrand staying with the team in a different role.
After days of discussion, the two sides decided it was better to move on.
Glenn will now begin a search for Engstrand’s replacement in earnest. He has already talked with several veteran offensive coaches about joining his staff in some role. Now, they can be interviewed for the coordinator role.
The Jets must interview two minority candidates from outside the organization to be Rooney Rule compliant before hiring the new coordinator.
Glenn has already been searching for a new defensive coordinator after firing Steve Wilks in season. He has been interviewing candidates for that role for several weeks.
The Jets announced they did a virtual interview with Brian Duker on Tuesday. Duker worked with Glenn with the Lions from 2021-23 and was the Dolphins defensive passing game coordinator in 2024-25.
Tanner Engstrand Bill Kostroun/New York Post
It will be interesting to see what candidates Glenn can attract for the offensive coordinator role. A source confirmed that Glenn has spoken to former Colts and Panthers coach Frank Reich about the job. Another name to watch is former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
Finding candidates with options to take this job is going to be tough. It is not an attractive job. The Jets have no quarterback at the moment and Glenn is going to be perceived to be on the hot seat entering Year 2 after going 3-14 in his first year.
Engstrand is the latest Jets offensive coordinator to last a short time on the job. The Jets have not had an offensive coordinator last more than two seasons on the job since Brian Schottenheimer was in the role from 2006-11.
There is no debate the Jets had a dismal offense in 2025, but it’s fair to wonder how much blame Engstrand bears in that. They wound up ranked 29th in the NFL in both yards and points per game and finished dead last in passing offense.
The Jets had three different starting quarterbacks. Justin Fields, whom the team signed for $20 million, bombed and was benched in November for Tyrod Taylor. After Taylor was injured, the team turned to undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who started the final four games of the season.
“It had some really good ups and some downs,” Engstrand said when asked to evaluate his season. “There’s been some really good things, and there’s been some things we know we can learn upon. And so, for me, personally, there’s definitely things that I look back on, and I’ve reflected on over the last several weeks that maybe I would adjust and do a little bit differently going forward. But I think it’s been really, really good.
“I think we’ve got our system in for the most part. There’s always going to be more, but I think we have a good foundation of what we’re trying to build as a team and as a culture in the building, and how we want to play, and what our brand is. And then we will continue to sharpen that and hone that in as we head into the offseason.”
Glenn brought Engstrand with him from the Lions, where he had been the passing game coordinator under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Engstrand had not called plays before at an NFL level but Glenn spoke confidently about Engstrand’s ability.
The timing of the move may be the most shocking aspect. The Jets season ended three weeks ago. We are deep into the hiring cycle and now the Jets have two major openings along with several other important ones like quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Glenn appears to have whiffed on three major decisions he made after getting the job — offensive coordinator (Engstrand), defensive coordinator (Wilks) and quarterback (Fields).
The Jets have the resources to make rapid improvements to the roster this offseason with four draft picks in the top 44, including No. 2 overall, and nearly $90 million in projected salary cap space.
