New Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is wasting no time putting his stamp on his team's offense. Hired to fix a unit that ranked near the bottom of nearly every statistical category last season, Engstrand is apparently ready to bring an aggressive, modern vision to Florham Park.
The former Lions assistant helped lead one of the NFL’s most balanced and explosive offenses in Detroit. Now in New York, he inherits a cast of dynamic playmakers, including Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and a quarterback in Justin Fields who brings a different kind of athleticism to the position.
Engstrand’s approach already seems clear. He wants to run an offense predicated on speed, physicality, and attacking defenses before they can settle in. And when asked to describe his offensive philosophy during OTAs on Thursday, he put it simply.
"I think we just want to play fast, right? We want to be physical. We want to be aggressive. We want to be explosive. We want to be detailed. We want that to show up on tape each and every week."Tanner Engstrand
Tanner Engstrand has the pieces to implement his vision for the Jets' offense
Engstrand comes from a Lions offense constructed by one of the brightest offensive minds in the sport, new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. The Jets plan to implement an offense that plans to attack, move quickly, and put pressure on defenses from the first snap to the last.
Wilson remains the focal point, while Hall gives the team a dynamic option in the backfield. Fields adds a new layer to the attack with his mobility, giving Engstrand the flexibility to open up the playbook in ways the previous staff rarely could with Aaron Rodgers under center.
The Jets don’t have a loaded offense on paper, but they’ve added pieces that hint at a more explosive identity. Arian Smith brings elite speed and could eventually carve out a role as a vertical threat.
Braelon Allen, now entering year two, adds physicality to the running back room. Even free-agent addition Josh Reynolds has familiarity with Engstrand’s Lions system and could serve as a steady presence in a new-look wide receiver room.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course. Engstrand’s offense will only go as far as the offensive line holds up and Fields delivers as a passer. But at the very least, there’s a defined identity beginning to form, something that was sorely missing in recent years.
Time will tell if Engstrand’s vision for the Jets’ offense comes to life, but early signs are encouraging. At the very least, the Jets seem to have a plan, which is more than could be said under the previous offensive coordinator.