The New York Jets are turning to a familiar face with a proven track record in hopes of jumpstarting their offense in 2026. Frank Reich, a Super Bowl-winning coach and one-time Jets quarterback, is officially back in the NFL as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Reich, 64, steps into a role that’s in desperate need of stability and direction. He replaces Tanner Engstrand, who was let go in January after a dismal 3-14 campaign in Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach. For Reich, it’s a return to the NFL sidelines after a brief stint in the college ranks as Stanford’s interim head coach last season.
This move also marks a reunion between Reich and Glenn - teammates on the 1996 Jets squad - adding a layer of familiarity to what the franchise hopes will be a transformative partnership. While their shared history dates back three decades, it’s the future of this offense that’s now front and center.
Reich brings with him a wealth of experience and a resume that commands respect. He was the architect of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense during their magical 2017 Super Bowl run, helping guide Nick Foles and company to one of the most memorable postseason performances in recent memory. That success catapulted him into a head coaching role with the Indianapolis Colts, where he made playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020.
His time in Indianapolis wasn’t without its challenges - quarterback turnover and injuries made consistency hard to come by - but Reich’s offenses consistently showed creativity and adaptability. He helped engineer a playoff win over the Texans in 2018 before falling to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round, and later took a Philip Rivers-led team to the postseason again in 2020, narrowly losing to the Bills.
Things didn’t go as planned in his most recent NFL stop. Reich’s tenure with the Carolina Panthers was short-lived, ending with a 1-10 record before his dismissal in November 2023. Still, his ability to command a locker room and design an offense that maximizes talent remains well-respected around the league.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t hold back when explaining why Reich was the right hire at the right time.
“Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure,” Glenn said in a statement. “He’s lived this game from every angle, as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who’s led offenses at the highest level.
He is unique in his ability to see the game for what it is right now and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands offense and how to utilize the strengths of players.
I am looking forward to how he will help this team have success.”
That’s the kind of leadership the Jets desperately need. The 2025 season was a tough one - another year of offensive struggles, missed opportunities, and a team that never found its rhythm. Reich’s challenge will be to take a roster that’s shown flashes of potential and mold it into a unit that can compete week in and week out.
For Reich, this isn’t just another job - it’s a full-circle moment. He spent 13 years in the NFL as a quarterback, most notably backing up Jim Kelly in Buffalo during the Bills’ early-90s heyday.
But in 1996, he wore the green and white, starting seven games for the Jets. Glenn, then a defensive back, was on that same roster.
Now they’ll try to steer the franchise forward together.
It’s a pivotal hire for a team looking to change the narrative. With Reich calling the plays and Glenn setting the tone, the Jets are betting that experience and familiarity can be the foundation of something new - and hopefully, something better.