Jets and Aaron Glenn Part Ways with OC Tanner
Jets Tanner Engstrand offensive coordinator news 2026
The New York Jets’ coaching staff overhaul continued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as the organization officially parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The decision comes after a single season in which the Jets struggled significantly on offense, finishing with a disappointing 3-14 record. Head coach Aaron Glenn, who brought Engstrand over from the Detroit Lions last offseason, reportedly held multiple discussions with the 43-year-old coordinator regarding a potential change in his role for the 2026 season. While initial reports suggested Engstrand might remain on staff in a non-play-calling capacity, the two parties ultimately reached a mutual decision to move on entirely. This departure marks the second coordinator vacancy for the New York Jets, who are also currently searching for a replacement for defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was fired late in the 2025 campaign.
The 2025 season was statistically disastrous for the New York offense under Engstrand’s direction. Despite a promising Week 1 performance with Justin Fields under center, the unit quickly regressed, eventually ranking dead last in the NFL in passing yards (2,385) and 29th in both points and total yards. The lack of aerial production was exacerbated by injuries to star wide receiver Garrett Wilson and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, as well as inconsistent play from rookie quarterback Brady Cook. While the team managed a top-10 rushing attack for much of the year, the inability to find a cohesive rhythm in the passing game led Glenn to determine that a fresh perspective was necessary to save his tenure heading into a pivotal second season.
Speculation regarding Engstrand’s successor has already begun to center on several high-profile names in the NFL coaching carousel. Former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has emerged as a leading candidate for the position, with league sources indicating that Glenn is prioritizing a “veteran play-caller” to stabilize the offense. Reich, who was born in Freeport, New York, possesses the extensive experience Glenn is seeking to help develop the Jets’ young quarterback room. Other potential names linked to the vacancy include former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, though Daboll recently accepted the offensive coordinator position with the Tennessee Titans.
The pressure on Aaron Glenn to finalize his staff is mounting as the 2026 hiring cycle remains in full swing. With eight assistant coaches already fired or departed this offseason, Glenn is essentially building his staff from scratch for his second year at the helm. Jets owner Woody Johnson has publicly stood behind Glenn despite the 3-14 finish, but the “competitive rebuild” narrative will face intense scrutiny if the new coordinator hires do not yield immediate results. As the search for a new offensive coordinator intensifies, the Jets are expected to conduct interviews throughout the remainder of the week to ensure they meet the league’s Rooney Rule requirements and secure a leader capable of revitalizing one of the league’s most stagnant offenses.
