Frank Reich is headed back to the NFL sidelines, this time as the new offensive coordinator for the New York Jets. And while it's been a few years since his last stint calling plays, Reich’s return to a coordinator role brings back memories-especially for fans in Philadelphia, where his impact still resonates.
Back in 2016, Reich joined Doug Pederson’s staff with the Eagles, tasked with the development of a young Carson Wentz. What followed was a whirlwind two-year stretch that culminated in the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl win during the 2017 season.
And while Wentz’s MVP-caliber campaign was cut short by a torn ACL, it was Nick Foles who stepped in and finished the job. Reich helped steer the offense through that transition, and the Eagles didn’t just survive-they thrived.
That Super Bowl run remains one of the most iconic moments in Eagles history, and Reich’s fingerprints were all over it. Though Pederson called the plays, Reich was instrumental in game planning and quarterback development. His ability to adapt the offense after Wentz went down was a masterclass in coaching flexibility and preparation.
Since leaving Philadelphia, Reich’s coaching journey has been a winding one. He spent five seasons as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, leading them to the playoffs twice despite a revolving door at quarterback.
In 2023, he took the reins in Carolina, but his tenure with the Panthers was short-lived-just 11 games before being let go. Most recently, he served as Stanford’s interim head coach, where the Cardinal went 4-8.
Now, at 64, Reich is taking on a new challenge in New York. This marks his first coordinator role since that magical run in Philly, and while he’s no stranger to the grind of leading an NFL offense, this time he steps into a Jets team that’s still trying to find its identity on that side of the ball.
Back in Philadelphia, there was some hope among fans that Reich might return to the Eagles this offseason to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy. That didn’t materialize-head coach Nick Sirianni instead opted to promote Sean Mannion, a coach with no prior play-calling experience. It was a surprising move, especially given Reich’s availability and his deep ties to the organization.
Still, there’s no bitterness in Philly-just respect. Reich remains a beloved figure among Eagles faithful, not just for the Super Bowl ring, but for the leadership and calm he brought during one of the franchise’s most memorable seasons. His departure from Carolina may not have gone the way he hoped, but this new chapter with the Jets offers one more shot to show what he can do.
Whether this is Reich’s final NFL stop remains to be seen. But if it is, it’s fitting that he gets to go out doing what he does best-coaching quarterbacks, building offenses, and bringing stability where it's needed most. And you can bet there’ll be plenty of Eagles fans quietly rooting for him from afar, hoping he gets the sendoff he deserves.