The New York Jets reportedly fired offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Per multiple reports, head coach Aaron Glenn and Engstrand had spoken about what his role would be going forward, with the likelihood that he wouldn’t handle play-calling duties if he remained. Instead, the two sides chose to part ways.
“Various coaches were told at the end of the season that they were free to explore other opportunities—though many still felt they were safe as of last week based on conversations they’d had with Glenn,” The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported.
“At some point in the last week or so, multiple sources said they felt Glenn changed course on his original plan for the offseason. At the end of the week, various position coaches were fired—and at least a few of them were surprised at that happening. Conversations also started about Engstrand having his role adjusted and giving up play-calling so Glenn could bring in a veteran voice to lead the offensive operation, though he wasn’t being fired. Engstrand would have remained as the OC, technically.”
The news comes amid reports that the Jets are interested in potentially hiring Frank Reich as part of their offensive staff. He’ll now be considered one of the frontrunners for the OC role.
The 64-year-old Reich would certainly bring a wealth of experience to the role.
Alongside being the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts (2018-22) and Carolina Panthers (2023), he also served as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers (2014-15) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-17). He was also Stanford’s interim head coach in 2025.
The Jets will now begin their search for a new offensive coordinator after many teams have already scooped up top candidates, or at the very least are well underway in their interviewing process.
The Jets will also be behind the ball given their quarterback situation. Justin Fields isn’t the long-term answer and the team may not have a natural option at No. 2 in the draft after Oregon’s Dante Moore opted to return to school.
Besides Reich, other potential options include former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, among others.
The Jets will have an almost entirely reworked coaching staff in Glenn’s second season after he fired Engstrand, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, pass-game coordinator Scott Turner, quarterbacks coach Charles London, defensive line coach Eric Washington, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, nickels coach Alonso Escalante and assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly.
Before Engstand’s firing, Glenn had been “making calls to veteran offensive coaches about joining the staff as the primary play caller—including Reich,” according to Rosenblatt. Those calls will now continue in earnest.
