Changes are coming for the New York Jets offense. It just may not be hitting offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
In his first season as the play-caller on an NFL offense, the results have been quite disappointing for the former Detroit Lions passing game coordinator. Outside of a top-10 finish on the ground, New York’s passing offense has been the worst in the NFL.
Just because the team’s offense has struggled throughout the season, though, doesn’t mean Engstrand is the main culprit.
He’s just going to be part of resounding changes made on that side of the ball.
Changes coming for Jets offense
Engstrand’s passing offense is based on the Detroit Lions and Ben Johnson’s schematic advantages of using motion and moving receivers around to get open. Quality drop-back passers are a must for an offensive scheme like that.
The Jets didn’t have a quarterback like that this season.
Justin Fields had four games with under 60 yards passing despite having players open downfield, Tyrod Taylor got hurt after just a couple of starts, and Brady Cook is an undrafted free agent.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that while significant changes are needed within the group, Engstrand isn’t one of those changes coming.
“As it stands now,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on Wednesday, “I think it’ll mean changes around OC Tanner Engstrand, with perhaps some more quarterbacking infrastructure, rather than replacing him.”
When Breer speaks of offensive changes, the most important change is at quarterback. Whether it’s a top pick in the upcoming draft or a free agent/trade acquisition, the Jets will have a new signal-caller leading the way in 2026.
Surrounding that quarterback with proper coaching is also essential. Whether replacements come at the position of the passing game coordinator, quarterback coach, or elsewhere, the Jets are focused on surrounding a new signal-caller with as much support as possible.
That is where structure becomes so essential. It can resolve all the problems the Jets have faced from that perspective this season.
Despite all the issues, Engstrand remains optimistic that the unit will improve.
“I think we have a good foundation of what we’re trying to build as a team and as a culture in the building, and how we want to play, and what our brand is,” Engstrand said about the Jets’ current predicament. “And then we will continue to sharpen that and hone that in as we head into the offseason.”
Engstrand’s play design and calls were good enough this season to warrant a shot to develop a rookie quarterback (if that’s the way the Jets go in April). Getting him proper assistant coaches around is a no-brainer for the team going forward.