Frank Reich Lands with the Jets as Offensive Coordinator: A Fresh Start in New York
Frank Reich is back in the NFL - and this time, he's headed to the Big Apple. On February 4, the New York Jets officially named Reich their new offensive coordinator, bringing the veteran coach back into the league after a turbulent few years.
Reich’s most recent NFL stop was in Carolina, where he served as the Panthers’ head coach during the 2023 season - Bryce Young’s rookie campaign. It was a tough stretch.
Reich lasted just 11 games, going 1-10 before being let go. The offense under his watch struggled to find rhythm, averaging only 15.7 points per game.
For a team trying to develop a No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, the results simply weren’t there.
But Reich’s coaching résumé stretches far beyond that rough stint in Carolina. He’s long been respected as a quarterback whisperer - a guy who’s helped mold the likes of Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck, and Carson Wentz during some of their best NFL seasons. Before Carolina, he was the head coach in Indianapolis, where he led the Colts to multiple playoff appearances and helped stabilize the offense through a carousel of quarterbacks.
Now, he joins a Jets staff led by head coach Aaron Glenn, who’s ushering in a new era with fresh faces on both sides of the ball. Reich replaces Tanner Engstrand as offensive coordinator, while the defensive side also saw turnover - Steve Wilks, another former Panthers head coach, served as Glenn’s DC in 2025 but was let go midseason.
Glenn had high praise for his new OC, telling the team’s website, “Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure. 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.” That perspective - and Reich’s steady hand - could be exactly what this Jets offense needs heading into a critical offseason.
Reich took a break from the NFL in 2024 before resurfacing in 2025 as the interim head coach at Stanford. Now, with a year of college experience under his belt and a fresh opportunity in New York, he’s stepping back onto the pro stage with something to prove.
The Jets, meanwhile, are sitting in a pivotal spot heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. They hold the No. 2 and No. 16 overall picks - prime real estate if they’re eyeing a new quarterback.
After a 2025 season where veterans Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor failed to cement themselves as long-term answers, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jets target a signal-caller early. That scenario could give Reich another shot at developing a young quarterback - something he's had success with in the past.
It’s worth noting Reich’s history with the Panthers goes back further than his brief coaching stint. He was actually the first quarterback to ever start a game for the franchise, taking the field during Carolina’s inaugural 1995 season. He played in three games that year, throwing for 441 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Now, three decades later, he’s back in the AFC - this time trying to revitalize a Jets offense that’s been searching for answers for years. The Panthers and Jets won’t meet in the 2026 regular season, but Reich’s journey from Charlotte to New York will be one to watch closely. If he can help turn around the Jets’ offensive fortunes - and maybe even groom their next franchise QB - his latest chapter might be one of the most impactful yet.