Jets close to hiring former NFL head coach to call offensive plays

The New York Jets are making widespread changes to their coaching staff this offseason, and while it was already understood that the team would be looking for a new defensive play-caller, most didn't expect the same to be true for the offensive side of the ball.

Multiple reports over the last few days have confirmed that offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is expected to receive a demotion of some kind. The exact details remain uncertain, but the expectation is that Engstrand will not be calling plays in 2026.

The Jets are targeting a veteran coach to be their offensive play-caller instead, and it appears they have their guy. SNY's Connor Hughes is reporting that former NFL head coach Frank Reich is expected to take over as the team's play-caller if hired.

Hughes reported Monday night that talks between the two sides were "progressing" and that the Jets were "trying" to reach a deal. This comes after Hughes said earlier in the day that he expects "it to get done" at some point in the near future.

Jets nearing a deal with former NFL head coach Frank Reich

A former NFL quarterback, Reich rose to prominence in the coaching world as the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2017, helping develop Carson Wentz and Nick Foles en route to the team's Super Bowl victory.

He later spent four and a half years as the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach, finishing with two playoff appearances and a 40–33 record, before landing the Carolina Panthers’ head coaching job in 2023. That stint went far worse, as his team started 1–10 before he was unceremoniously fired.

Reich resurfaced in 2025 as the interim head coach at Stanford, leading the Cardinal to a 4-8 record before he was once again replaced. He currently serves as a senior advisor to the Stanford football program.

Reich is an experienced coach who found considerable success in the NFL, but none of that success has come within the last half-decade or so. He also notably didn't call plays during his most notable stint as an OC with the Eagles.

The Jets appear to be preparing to bring Reich in as a senior offensive assistant or passing game coordinator, with the understanding that he would also handle play-calling duties. As Hughes noted, Engstrand could retain his offensive coordinator title even if he no longer calls plays.

That kind of forced arrangement creates an unclear chain of command and muddies the waters before the season even begins. It's a sign of obvious uncertainty, and it should raise immediate concerns about the direction of the staff.

In many ways, it mirrors the team’s pursuit of Wink Martindale as a potential defensive coordinator. With his seat already heating up, Aaron Glenn appears to be reaching for quick, familiar fixes in an effort to stabilize things rather than committing to a clear, long-term plan.

It reeks of a panic move, if we're being honest. Regardless, the Jets seem intent on bringing in a veteran voice to essentially replace Engstrand. Frank Reich appears to be their top choice.