Jets Part Ways with OC Tanner Engstrand After One Tumultuous Season - But Is He Really the Problem?
The New York Jets have officially parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand after just one season in the role - a move that adds yet another layer to the turbulence under head coach Aaron Glenn’s watch.
At first, it looked like Engstrand might stick around in a reduced role, with play-calling duties potentially handed off to someone else. But that plan quickly fell apart, and the two sides agreed to go their separate ways.
Now, was Engstrand perfect in his first year as an NFL play-caller? No.
But let’s be clear: he wasn’t exactly working with a stacked deck, either. The Jets cycled through three different quarterbacks, including four starts from an undrafted rookie.
That’s not just tough - it’s bordering on chaotic.
Still, there were signs that Engstrand was doing more with less. According to FTN Fantasy, the Jets ranked eighth in the league in wide-open target rate - ahead of Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins, Ben Johnson’s Bears, and even the high-flying Lions.
That’s not nothing. That kind of separation doesn’t happen by accident.
It suggests the scheme was working - the execution, not so much.
But here’s where it fell apart: the Jets were 29th in completion percentage on throws where receivers had three or more yards of separation. They were also 30th in drop rate.
In other words, the plays were there to be made - they just weren’t being made. That’s not entirely on the coordinator.
Yet, Engstrand is out the door, and it’s hard to ignore the pattern emerging under Glenn’s leadership.
The Glenn Regime’s Coaching Carousel
Engstrand’s exit isn’t an isolated incident. It’s the latest in a string of firings that point to a deeper issue.
Fifteen weeks into the season, Glenn dismissed defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. After the season ended, seven more assistants were let go.
And now, Engstrand joins that list.
In just over a year, Glenn has cleaned house on nearly half of his coaching staff - including both coordinators and key offensive development roles. That’s a massive reset, especially for a team trying to build something sustainable.
The only real bright spot? Special teams.
Chris Banjo has been a solid hire, and Glenn deserves credit there. But outside of that, it’s been a rough start for the former Jets cornerback turned head coach.
Where Does That Leave the Jets - and Their Quarterback Plan?
Firing assistants isn’t inherently a bad thing. Sometimes, a coach realizes a hire isn’t the right fit and makes the change quickly.
That can be a sign of adaptability. But when nearly half the staff is gone after one season - and the team just wrapped up a 3-14 campaign - it’s fair to ask: what exactly is the vision here?
Glenn, a defensive-minded coach, now has to go back to the drawing board to find a new offensive coordinator, a new pass-game coordinator, and a new quarterbacks coach. That’s a full reset of the brain trust responsible for developing a young quarterback - arguably the most important project in the building.
And here’s the tough part: Glenn handpicked these guys. He had full control over his staff.
So if none of them worked out, that’s on him. It’s not just about making the right hires now - it’s about rebuilding trust with ownership, the locker room, and the fanbase.
Because right now, it’s hard to see how this coaching turnover leads to long-term stability - especially at quarterback. And without that, the Jets are just spinning their wheels.
Engstrand may not have been the long-term answer, but he also may not have been the root of the problem. The numbers show a scheme that created opportunities.
The results show a team that couldn’t capitalize. That disconnect speaks to broader issues - and those issues start at the top.
If Aaron Glenn is going to turn this thing around, he’s going to have to hit a home run with his next round of hires. Because the clock is already ticking.