New York Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is in a strange position.<\/p>\n
The first-year OC oversaw one of the NFL\u2019s worst offenses in his debut season. The Jets ranked 29th in points per drive, 26th on third down, 28th on fourth down, and 31st in the red zone.<\/p>\n
Yet, calls for Engstrand\u2019s job never got exceedingly loud throughout the year. And as we sit here on Jan. 8, it is clear that Engstrand will return in 2026.<\/p>\n
This is contrary to defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who fans were calling to be fired as early as October. Those calls were answered before the season even concluded.<\/p>\n
Fans, analysts, and the Jets themselves have collectively decided to give Engstrand a pass for the 2025 season. Most of the criticism for New York\u2019s historically bad campaign is being directed at head coach Aaron Glenn.<\/p>\n
Glenn\u2019s lightning-rod status is due to the Jets\u2019 unprecedented ineptitude spanning both sides of the ball (with the defense, Glenn\u2019s specialty, actually being worse), therefore prompting fans and media to direct their criticism at the head of the operation rather than spread it between the many smaller contributors underneath him.<\/p>\n
It goes without saying that Glenn is not entirely responsible for the Jets\u2019 struggles. The roster is severely lacking in talent. Both coordinators had their struggles, too.<\/p>\n
Engstrand was not perfect. It\u2019s impossible for a perfect OC to field an offense that ranks as poorly as the Jets\u2019 did, no matter who is at quarterback or wide receiver.<\/p>\n
With that said, Engstrand\u2019s free pass is not due solely to his rookie status and the lack of talent underneath him. There is a reason that Glenn is receiving calls for his job, but the overseer of the Jets\u2019 29th-ranked offense is not.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a difficult undertaking for fans and analysts, but coaches must be evaluated based on their performance in areas they have control over. And in that respect, Glenn has been a liability<\/a>, whereas Engstrand has shown enough potential to justify sticking around.<\/p>\n In a few subtle ways, Engstrand showed legitimate upside as a play-caller and schemer.<\/p>\n You just have to dig a little bit deeper to see it.<\/p>\n Tanner Engstrand\u2019s hidden signs of potential<\/p>\n When watching film of the Jets\u2019 offense throughout the season, a consistent theme emerged: quarterbacks missing wide-open receivers.<\/p>\n On passes to receivers with 3+ yards of separation, the Jets had a completion percentage of 82.3%, per FTN Fantasy, ranking 29th in the NFL.<\/p>\n Examples of this stat are all over the tape.<\/p>\n AD Mitchell (bottom) missed for another potential TD<\/p>\n Play on route pacing, slowed drive phase off of the line slows the CB’s feet<\/p>\n Takes off vertically as he closes ground and had plenty of room for a walk in TD<\/p>\n Tyrod gets hit as Fashanu allows a hit<\/p>\n Fashanu’s pass pro punch\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VlGtendRft<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) November 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Great play call from Engstrand vs man coverage<\/p>\n Rub from the #1 (bottom) with Mitchell running a stalk rail\/wheel from the slot and is WIDE open because of the rub<\/p>\n Fields puts the ball short and behind Mitchell who DOES have the chance to catch it, harder said then done though\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/bxzzNTe4sD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) November 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2nd-9, GW (top) most on a speed out vs a CB who is sitting high<\/p>\n Fields pulls the trigger but is behind Garrett <\/p>\n Put the damn ball ON him<\/p>\n Incomplete\u2026. pic.twitter.com\/BLRCDGpzHx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Simpson pressure allowed, late to pick up the TE stunt<\/p>\n Fields tries to get the ball to Garrett (top) but cant complete the pass with pressure in his face pic.twitter.com\/K0LFEkw6mU<\/a><\/p>\n