Aaron Glenn’s overhaul of the Jets’ coaching staff continues to gain momentum-and experience.
The latest addition: longtime NFL assistant Alfredo Roberts, who’s stepping in as New York’s new tight ends coach. Roberts brings more than two decades of coaching experience to Florham Park, and he's fresh off a five-year stint in Pittsburgh where he helped mold one of the league’s more productive tight end rooms.
This hire comes on the heels of two other key moves earlier in the week-Frank Reich taking over as offensive coordinator and Karl Dunbar coming in to lead the defensive line. Glenn is clearly building a staff with deep NFL roots, and Roberts fits right into that vision.
Roberts takes over for Jeff Blasko, who left for the same position with the Cleveland Browns under Todd Monken. That departure opened the door for Roberts, who has quietly built a strong résumé coaching tight ends across the league.
Before he was on the sidelines, Roberts was on the field. He played tight end in the NFL from 1988 to 1993, suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys.
In 80 career games, including 36 starts, he hauled in 48 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns. Not flashy numbers, but enough to earn respect in the trenches-and that gritty, blue-collar experience has shaped his coaching style.
Since transitioning to coaching in 2003, Roberts has held tight ends coach roles with seven different NFL teams: the Jaguars, Browns, Buccaneers, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, and now the Jets. That’s a lot of locker rooms, a lot of systems, and a whole lot of tight ends.
His most recent work in Pittsburgh stands out. Roberts played a key role in the development of Pat Freiermuth, who was drafted in the second round in 2021 and has since emerged as a reliable red-zone threat and chain-mover.
Freiermuth’s production under Roberts speaks volumes: 668 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, ranking him 12th and third among tight ends in those categories, respectively. In 2025, Freiermuth and veteran Jonnu Smith combined for 706 yards and six scores-a solid return for a duo that wasn’t exactly featured in a high-flying passing attack.
Now, Roberts will look to bring that same developmental touch to a Jets tight end group that’s still searching for consistency and playmaking punch. With Reich now calling the plays and a new-look offensive staff coming together, there’s a real opportunity here for that unit to take a step forward.
Aaron Glenn’s not just reshuffling the deck-he’s stacking it with proven NFL minds. And with Roberts on board, the Jets just added another piece with the kind of experience and track record that suggests they’re serious about building something sustainable.