There are several reasons to be concerned about Frank Reich’s hire with the New York Jets.
Age, a declining scheme, and a lack of a known quarterback solution all contribute to the fanbase’s continued trepidation about the team’s offensive outlook. After 15 years of offensive struggles, it’s hard to argue against pessimism.
Reich’s final run through the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers wasn’t exactly smooth either.
As difficult a time as it is for the fanbase to “buy in” to an older assistant coaching hire like this, there’s one reason why Reich could be exactly what the organization needs. It stems from his decades of experience at the position the Jets can’t seem to figure out.
It’s all about the QB
Frank Reich’s entire career has been focused on the quarterback position. He was a backup quarterback in the NFL for 13 seasons from the late 1980s throughout most of the ’90s. After an eight-year hiatus from the game, Reich became an assistant coach in Indianapolis, where he concentrated mostly on the quarterback position.
From there, he shuffled duties between quarterback coach and offensive coordinator for many teams, including the then-San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, before landing as a head coach in Indianapolis again.
Throughout his career, one thing was clear: He understood how to coach quarterbacks at a high level.
From being in Peyton Manning’s in 2009 and 2010, to the excellent play of Philip Rivers, to the development of Carson Wentz and Nick Foles in Philadelphia, Reich has understood how to get the best out of the position.
It’s that experience that is so important for the Jets in 2026.
New York has never had an offensive coordinator with the kind of background Reich has. Instead of a schematics-based approach, Reich has excelled in a relationships-based mindset.
He led with a nurturing style of someone who understands the pressure signal-callers go through at every level, and has done his best to put each quarterback in a position to succeed.
Filling the void
Again, this isn’t something the Jets have had for a young quarterback before.
Sam Darnold began his career with Todd Bowles and Chan Gailey — two people who understood the importance of the quarterback position — but didn’t have the same connection Reich could have had.
Zach Wilson, just a few years later, had Mike LaFleur. The late Greg Knapp was supposed to fill the kind of role Reich could have had, but sadly passed away before the season even began.
Reich’s arrival is a close comparison to what the Jets were hoping Knapp would be for their young quarterback.
It is precisely what the Jets haven’t had for so long.
Time will tell if his scheme will be up to par after being away from the league for a few years. At the very least, though, the Jets should feel more secure that whoever they end up choosing will be led by someone who has played, coached, and developed the position for decades.
Finally, there seems to be a plan targeting the one area the New York Jets have been perpetually searching for answers. Better yet, they hired Frank Reich to handle the area of football that matters most (quarterback).