Jets OC downplays struggles with bold claim about his offense

The New York Jets have been bad — really bad. I probably sound like a broken record or a parrot, because I’ve started several articles with that exact same sentiment this season. I’m not quite sure how else to explain the season, though. Every facet has struggled; the entire group has been one big mess.

Despite the fact that everyone has had their issues, Jets’ offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand seems to think his group is in a good spot. He thinks his offense, the offense that ranks 21st in total yards and 20th in Pro Football Focus grade, is somehow going to be ok. What's the fix, you ask?

No more penalties is his brilliant idea.

I mock this statement, but it isn’t necessarily incorrect. Pre-snap penalties have plagued the Jets. In Week 4, they committed 13 penalties for 101 yards, six of which were pre-snap on offense. There have been positive flashes aside from that.

But to tell the fans with a straight face that “we’ll be just fine” in the midst of this mess is quite the presumptive move. Fans should be bookmarking this, and Engstrand should be praying that he’s correct on this.

Jets fans have seen enough to know there isn’t one simple fix

Justin Fields has been a difficult QB to dissect this year, as he’s been his whole career. He’s hit some fun deep passes that not just anyone can make, and he’s made running plays that basically no one can make. He’s also been even-keeled and emotionally rock steady as the unit manager, something you can’t replace as a QB.

But that’s the story on one hand. What makes him hard to dissect is that the story, on the other hand, tells a vastly different tale.

Fields has looked shaky at best when it comes to getting the ball out on time. He holds on to the ball way too long, he never seems to know if guys are open or not, and he’s more keen to abort the play and scramble rather than move to his second and third progressions.

The receiving corps, save for Garrett Wilson, has been brutal. At times, it’s been impossible to distinguish between receivers not getting open and Fields not finding them when they are. The two have been equally inconsistent.

The running game has been slightly better than the passing game, but still not good. They rank 10th in PFF's run blocking grade with a 64.6, but 23rd in overall rushing grade with a 67.7. It has been, at best, a mixed bag.

But still, Engstrand is comfortable using the words “fine” as a descriptor for this offense.

"Watch the tape, watch the tape. There's a lot of good stuff on that tape. There's a lot of good things on that tape from all the different positions... And we're moving the ball. We're moving the ball. And all of a sudden, we got penalties. So we eliminate that, and we're going to be be just fine."

Tanner Engstrand, NY Jets' OC

There have been enough moments of positivity to instill some confidence that things can be improved moving forward. Without all the boneheaded penalty mistakes, a few of these losses could have turned into wins quite easily. All the yellow flags have played a massive part in the 0-4 start.

However, to suggest that they are basically the only problem is wildly wrong and irresponsible. The offense not only lacks much top-end talent but is also fundamentally flawed.

The passing game poses absolutely zero downfield threat. There is virtually no pressure placed on the defensive backs, meaning the run game is constantly combating a stacked box. That has nothing to do with penalties.

And the quarterback they continue to speak so highly of has not been a good passer. You can only mask that for so long in 2025, and that also has nothing to do with penalties.

So while Engstrand's point is taken, it certainly isn’t taken well. Now that he’s made such a definitive assertion, fans should expect serious production if the penalty situation is settled. If the offense struggles due to lethargy, any poor play, or any weak schematic strategy, then he should be reminded of his proclamation.

Fans have every right to expect things to be “just fine” at some point soon. If not, Engstrand can join Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks on the proverbial hot seat.

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