When Aaron Glenn accepted the New York Jets’ head coaching job, one of his first moves was bringing along Tanner Engstrand from Detroit to serve as his offensive coordinator. It was a bold hire, one rooted in familiarity and trust, but halfway through the season, it’s fair to ask: was Engstrand ready for this role, or was he thrust into the spotlight too soon?
From Small College to the Big League
Engstrand’s path to the NFL has been a steady grind through the coaching ranks. He began his career as a graduate assistant at the University of San Diego, eventually advancing to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. After his collegiate stint, he joined the University of Michigan as an offensive analyst before spending a year as the offensive coordinator for the DC Defenders in the XFL.
When the XFL folded, Engstrand found a home in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 2020. Over the next several seasons, he rose through the organization, transitioning from a quality control coach to tight ends coach, and eventually to passing game coordinator in 2024. When Glenn, Detroit’s defensive coordinator at the time, was offered the Jets job, Engstrand followed him to New York to become his offensive coordinator.
It’s a familiar NFL story, assistants working their way up through trust and opportunity, but Engstrand’s résumé doesn’t feature many stops that would have made him an obvious choice for an OC role. His promotion was, in many ways, a leap of faith by Glenn.
Numbers Don’t Lie, But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
At the midpoint of the 2025 season, the Jets’ offensive performance paints a discouraging picture. According to PFSN’s Offensive Impact Ratings, the team ranks near the bottom in several key categories:
1) Overall Impact Score: 67 (29th)
2) Yards per Play: 4.9 (28th)
3) 3rd Down Conversion Rate: 37.6% (26th)
4) Passing Yards: 1,252 (32nd, dead last)
However, not everything is bleak. The Jets rank:
1) 6th in Rushing Yards (1,149)
2) 15th in Turnovers (10)
3) 16th in Red Zone TD Percentage (57.9%)
Those numbers point to a conservative, run-heavy approach: an offense designed to control the time of possession, minimize mistakes, and let the defense dictate the game. The problem? The defense hasn’t been the dominant unit many expected, and the offense’s cautious style has left it looking lifeless in too many moments.
Playing It Too Safe?
Engstrand’s offensive philosophy mirrors much of what he absorbed in Detroit, being a ground-oriented system that prioritizes ball control and situational efficiency. That approach can work with a complete roster and a top-tier defense, but for a 1-7 Jets team that often finds itself playing from behind, it has been a recipe for stagnation.
The reliance on the run game aligns with quarterback Justin Fields’ strengths and the dynamic ability of Breece Hall, but the lack of receiving depth has hampered the balance. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ receiving corps has been a revolving door, and when Wilson went down, the passing game collapsed. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor has shown flashes, but he’s still developing and can’t shoulder the offensive load alone.
The Ben Johnson Question
One lingering storyline is how much of Engstrand’s success in Detroit was influenced by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now a head coach himself with the Chicago Bears. Johnson was widely credited with designing one of the league’s most innovative and adaptable offenses. Engstrand’s current struggles suggest he may still be finding his own identity as a play-caller outside of Johnson’s system.
Too Much, Too Soon?
It’s important to remember that Engstrand’s situation isn’t uncommon in today’s NFL. Assistants and analysts are often elevated quickly as teams look to replicate successful systems. The question is whether Engstrand had enough time to grow into a coordinator role before being handed the keys to an offense still searching for stability.
The second half of the season will be critical. Improvement doesn’t necessarily mean instant wins, but signs of adaptability, creativity, and rhythm would go a long way toward validating Glenn’s trust in his protégé. If the Jets’ offense continues to sputter, though, it will raise hard questions about whether Engstrand was simply promoted too fast.
For now, the jury is still out, but the clock is ticking in New York.