Lions’ coaching blunder makes Jets’ Tanner Engstrand decision look even better

When New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was putting together his first coaching staff around this time a year ago, many believed that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was the prize of the organization's hiring cycle.

Little did Jets fans know that Wilks would be fired before the end of the year, while Glenn's other two coordinators, Tanner Engstrand and Chris Banjo, would emerge as the true standouts.

Engstrand came over with Glenn from Detroit and was the first-year head coach's first official hire. It was a move many believed the Jets wouldn't even have an opportunity to make, as Engstrand was long rumored to be the Lions' preferred successor for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

In the end, Lions head coach Dan Campbell opted to bring back veteran assistant — and former Jets offensive coordinator — John Morton to replace Johnson, who had been hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. It's safe to say the Lions probably regret that decision.

The Lions probably regret not hiring Jets OC Tanner Engstrand

Reports confirmed on Tuesday that Morton had officially been fired after just one year on the job. The move came as no surprise, as the Lions' offense had taken a sizable step back with Morton at the helm in 2025.

Campbell ultimately stripped Morton of play-calling duties after just nine weeks, taking over as the offensive play-caller and immediately seeing positive results. Detroit's offense noticeably improved after Morton was demoted.

While the Lions finished the season ranked as the league’s fifth-highest scoring offense, that surface-level production masked some significant underlying issues.

A closer look at the unit reveals that the problems went well beyond points scored, most notably in the running game. After posting one of the best rushing seasons in franchise history in 2024, Detroit’s run offense fell off a cliff in 2025.

The Lions averaged 0.021 EPA per rush in 2024, ranking fifth in the NFL, while posting a 44.8 percent rushing success rate, good for fourthfourth-best best in the league. That efficiency completely disappeared a year later.

In 2025, Detroit’s EPA per rush dropped to -0.075, 22nd in the NFL, and their rushing success rate plummeted to 39.1 percent, ranking 25th. The dramatic regression helps explain why the Lions’ offense never truly felt as dangerous as the scoring totals suggested.

Of course, Engstrand's Jets offense wasn't exactly buzzing in 2025, but the first-year play-caller did manage to establish an effective ground game despite a miserable passing attack led by incompetent quarterback play.

The Jets ranked sixth in yards per carry and 10th in total rushing yards this season, while also finishing 16th in rushing success rate. That’s a notable accomplishment given the level of quarterback play and wide receiver performance the offense was working with.

The jury is very much still out on Engstrand and his Jets future, but it's probably fair to insist that the Lions regret opting for Morton's experience over Engstrand's upside. After all, only one of them is still employed.