Unlocking Fields By Grounding Jets; Hall Losing Ground? The Fantasy Notebook
By Bob Harris - Exclusive to Footballguys
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Getting Coordinated: Jets Hope To Take Off With Engstrand
Once again, the Jets will go into the season with a first-time head coach and a first-time playcaller on offense. They did the same thing in 2021 with 49ers assistants Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur, the latter of whom lasted two seasons.
This time, New York dipped into the staff of another successful franchise, the Lions.
When Aaron Glenn -- previously Detroit's defensive coordinator -- became the 18th full-time head coach in Jets history, it seemed likely he would bring some of his Detroit assistants to New York with him . . .
Sure Enough
Tanner Engstrand, 42, who spent the past four seasons with Glenn on Dan Campbell's staff, was hired as offensive coordinator.
In Detroit, Engstrand was the passing game coordinator for an offense that scored a league-high 564 points in 2024.
He was considered a possible replacement for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to become the Chicago Bears' head coach, but was passed over when Campbell opted to go outside the organization to hire John Morton from the Broncos.
As ESPN.com's Rich Cimini noted, Engstrand is a Jim Harbaugh disciple, having worked under Harbaugh at the University of San Diego and Michigan. Engstrand has called plays at the college level (San Diego) and in the XFL (D.C. Defenders) but has no NFL playcalling experience.
But he does have a distant connection to new Jets general manager Darren Mougey; both were quarterbacks at San Diego State in 2004.
The San Diego native spent his next 13 years as an assistant at USD before following Harbaugh to Michigan. In 2020, Engstrand landed with the Lions as an offensive assistant under coach Matt Patricia, who was fired that year. Engstrand was retained by Campbell in 2021, starting as the tight ends coach and eventually being promoted to passing game coordinator . . .
Ready Or Not?
Last month, Engstrand proclaimed himself "100 percent, absolutely ready" for his new gig, which is known more for its high turnover than its on-field success.
Engstrand is their 10th offensive coordinator and the 11th playcaller in the past 15 seasons, which ESPN.com's Rich Cimini called a "staggering run of volatility."
The effort to end that skid and start building a stable foundation will include an offense heavily influenced by Glenn and Engstrand's time with the Lions, from scheme to coaching . . .
What Does That Mean?
Engstrand will lean heavily on former Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden, who will coach the offensive line and be heavily involved in the running game.
Another key voice belongs to senior offensive assistant/passing game coordinator Scott Turner, a former longtime coordinator whose experience should be helpful. He's the son of former NFL head coach Norv Turner.
"It's going to be a physical system," Turner said. "We're going to run the football, we're going to be aggressive up front and try to chase explosive plays [in the passing game] . . . That's what we're going to be hunting."
That will mean a shift from what we saw in New York last season . . .
A More Grounded Approach
The Jets were a pass-heavy team last year. As Late-Round Fantasy's JJ Zachariason pointed out this week, they finished the season ranked third in overall pass rate, and they were fourth in pass rate when in neutral situations across the first three quarters of games.
But even more than the change of staff, a change at quarterback is likely to lead to a much run-heavier Jets offense in 2025 -- with good reason . . .
CONTINUED...
