The New York Jets are shaking up their coaching staff this offseason, and the changes are running deeper than many anticipated. While it was already known that the team would be in the market for a new defensive play-caller, the offense is now also in line for a major shift - and it centers around offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
According to multiple reports, Engstrand is expected to be reassigned in some capacity, with one key detail standing out: he likely won’t be calling plays in 2026. That responsibility, it seems, is headed to a veteran coach the Jets are actively pursuing - former NFL head coach Frank Reich.
Talks between the Jets and Reich are reportedly moving forward, with both sides working toward finalizing a deal. If completed, Reich would step in as the team’s primary offensive play-caller, bringing decades of NFL experience to a staff that’s clearly in transition.
Reich is no stranger to the spotlight. A former NFL quarterback, he made his biggest coaching mark as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles during their 2017 Super Bowl run. He played a key role in developing Carson Wentz and guiding Nick Foles through a remarkable postseason stretch that ended with a Lombardi Trophy.
That success propelled him to the head coaching role in Indianapolis, where he led the Colts to two playoff appearances and compiled a 40-33 record over four and a half seasons. But his most recent NFL stop - a short-lived tenure with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 - was far less fruitful. Reich was let go after a 1-10 start, a rough exit that raised questions about his future in the league.
He spent 2025 as the interim head coach at Stanford, guiding the Cardinal to a 4-8 season before being replaced again. Currently, he serves as a senior advisor within the Stanford football program.
So, what does this mean for the Jets?
Reich brings a wealth of experience, no doubt. But it’s worth noting that during his most celebrated stint with the Eagles, he wasn’t the one calling plays - that job belonged to then-head coach Doug Pederson. Still, the Jets appear poised to hand Reich the headset, potentially bringing him on as a senior offensive assistant or passing game coordinator with play-calling duties baked into the role.
Engstrand, meanwhile, could retain his offensive coordinator title, even if the actual play-calling shifts to Reich. That kind of setup can get messy. When the lines of authority aren’t clearly drawn, it opens the door to confusion - not just in the locker room, but in the weekly game planning and in-game adjustments that define a successful offense.
It’s a situation that echoes what’s happening on the defensive side, too. The Jets have reportedly been eyeing Wink Martindale as a possible replacement for current defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn’s seat is warming up, and the team’s coaching moves - on both sides of the ball - suggest a desire for quick fixes rather than a cohesive long-term vision.
For head coach Robert Saleh and his staff, this offseason is shaping up to be a critical one. The Jets are trying to steady the ship after another disappointing campaign, and bringing in a veteran voice like Reich could be a move aimed at restoring order and experience to a staff that’s searching for answers.
Whether this patchwork approach leads to progress or just prolongs the uncertainty remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the Jets are making bold moves, and Frank Reich is at the center of their latest recalibration.