Jets Move On From OC Tanner Engstrand After Just One Season
The New York Jets are making sweeping changes after a brutal 3-14 campaign in 2025, and one of the most significant moves involves parting ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The decision comes after just one season with the team, marking a quick end to what many had hoped would be a promising start for the young play-caller.
Engstrand came to New York with some buzz. After spending time in Detroit as the Lions’ pass game coordinator, he was seen by some as a rising offensive mind.
When Lions OC Ben Johnson left to take the head coaching job in Chicago, Engstrand was even considered a strong internal candidate to replace him. That didn’t happen - Detroit went in a different direction - and Engstrand followed then-defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the Jets to take on the OC role.
But things never really clicked in New York.
The Jets’ offense struggled mightily all season, finishing 29th in scoring with just 17.6 points per game. That number tells part of the story, but the issues ran deeper.
The team never found stability at quarterback, lacked high-end talent at the skill positions, and couldn’t establish any rhythm offensively. The defense didn’t offer much support either, making it tough to play complementary football.
It was a tough environment for any coordinator, let alone a first-year play-caller.
Still, there were flashes. Engstrand managed to coax a top-10 rushing attack out of the group, a notable achievement considering the offensive line issues and lack of explosive threats. That ground game was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season, and some around the league believe Engstrand showed enough to warrant another shot down the line.
Ultimately, the writing was on the wall. There were initial discussions about stripping Engstrand of his play-calling duties, but after conversations between him and Glenn, the two sides decided to part ways entirely.
And Engstrand wasn’t the only departure.
The Jets cleaned house on the coaching front, parting ways with a large chunk of the staff after just one year under Glenn. The list of exits includes:
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Quarterbacks coach
- Pass game coordinator
- Defensive line coach
- Two defensive assistants
- Linebackers coach
It’s a clear sign that the Jets are pressing reset after a season that fell far short of expectations. For Glenn, it’s a pivotal offseason - one where he’ll need to retool his staff and recalibrate the direction of the franchise quickly.
As for Engstrand, don’t be surprised if he lands on his feet. He’s got a solid coaching tree behind him, with ties to Ben Johnson, the Lions organization, and even Jim Harbaugh - having worked under him previously. That connection could open the door to a spot on the Chargers’ offensive staff, now led by new coordinator Mike McDaniel.
There’s also the question of whether a reunion with Detroit could be in the cards. The Lions currently have a vacancy at tight ends coach after Tyler Roehl left to take the OC job at Iowa State.
Engstrand held that role back in 2022, so the familiarity is there. Whether there’s mutual interest remains to be seen, especially with Mike Kafka now in the fold and the specifics of his role still coming into focus.
Bottom line: Engstrand’s first shot at running an NFL offense didn’t go as planned, but in a tough situation, he showed enough to stay on the radar. His next move could be just as telling as his last.