Here’s a bold statement: the New York Jets’ offensive struggles might not be entirely the fault of their offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the team’s offense ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every category, Engstrand’s job seems secure for 2026. Why? Because, as it turns out, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Let’s dive in.
Engstrand’s debut season as the Jets’ OC was, by most metrics, a disaster. The team finished 29th in points per drive, 26th on third down, 28th on fourth down, and a dismal 31st in the red zone. Yet, unlike defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who faced calls for his job as early as October, Engstrand has largely flown under the radar. And this is the part most people miss—while head coach Aaron Glenn has become the lightning rod for criticism, Engstrand’s performance deserves a closer look.
It’s easy to point fingers at Glenn, whose team struggled on both sides of the ball. But here’s the thing: Engstrand’s challenges went beyond his control. The Jets’ roster lacked talent, and their quarterbacks consistently missed wide-open receivers. For instance, on passes where receivers had 3+ yards of separation, the Jets’ completion percentage was a league-worst 82.3%. Think about that—even when Engstrand’s play designs created opportunities, the execution fell short.
Take, for example, a play against man coverage where AD Mitchell was wide open on a wheel route, only for the quarterback to throw the ball short and behind him. Or another instance where Garrett Wilson was open on a speed out, but the pass was placed poorly, leading to an incompletion. These aren’t scheme failures—they’re execution failures. But here’s the question—should Engstrand be judged solely on results, or should we consider the context of what he’s working with?
Now, let’s talk about where Engstrand actually excelled: intermediate passes (10-19 air yards). In this area, the Jets ranked fourth in average separation, putting them in the company of offensive powerhouses like the Seahawks, Bears, and Bills. Teams with coordinators like Klint Kubiak, Ben Johnson, and Joe Brady—names that command respect in the league. Here’s the kicker—Engstrand’s ability to create separation in this critical area of the field is a massive upside, even if the quarterbacks couldn’t capitalize.
Intermediate passes are the NFL’s modern bread and butter. They offer high yardage potential with better completion odds than deep shots. Yet, the Jets’ quarterbacks ranked 27th in passing grade on these throws and attempted them far less frequently than the league average. Justin Fields, in particular, threw intermediate passes on just 11.1% of his dropbacks—the lowest rate in the NFL. Is it fair to blame Engstrand for this? Or is the real issue the lack of quarterback confidence and execution?
Engstrand isn’t perfect. He could improve in creating separation on short and deep passes, where the Jets ranked 28th and 26th, respectively. But his work in the intermediate area is a legitimate bright spot. Here’s the million-dollar question—if the Jets pair Engstrand with a quarterback who can actually hit those open receivers, could their offense turn things around?
As we look ahead to 2026, Engstrand’s free pass isn’t just about his rookie status or the roster’s limitations. It’s about recognizing the potential he’s shown in a key area of the game. But what do you think? Is Engstrand a hidden gem, or is he just another coordinator who couldn’t deliver? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
