In a move that has the potential to reshape their offensive strategy, the New York Jets have decided to bring Frank Reich on board as their new offensive coordinator, following an extensive search process. According to sources familiar with the situation, Aaron Glenn, the Jets' head coach, successfully landed his preferred candidate after parting ways with last year’s offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand, just a week ago.
The search for a new offensive leader was competitive, with notable candidates including Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell, who both interviewed in person, alongside Reich, who was seen as the frontrunner throughout the process. Additionally, Lunda Wells and Ronald Curry participated in virtual interviews for the position.
This appointment marks Reich's return to running an NFL offense after his dismissal from the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 season, where he served as head coach. In a parallel move, the Jets also secured Brian Duker from the Miami Dolphins to take on the role of defensive coordinator, although it is expected that Glenn will handle the defensive play calling.
A few weeks prior to Reich's hiring, Glenn had been exploring the possibility of adding a seasoned offensive coach to the staff. Initially, the thought was to retain Engstrand as offensive coordinator while relieving him of play-calling responsibilities. This led to a conversation with former NFL coach Jon Gruden, now a sports media figure, though he reportedly showed no interest in returning to coaching. Ultimately, Reich emerged as the top choice for the Jets.
At 64, Reich was serving as interim head coach at Stanford during the 2025 season and was set to transition into a senior adviser role for the football program in 2026 when the Jets made contact. Those close to Reich speculated that he was contemplating retirement until Glenn pitched him the idea of stepping in as the "head coach of the offense," allowing Glenn to concentrate on improving the Jets’ struggling defense. To make the offer more enticing, a substantial salary for a coordinator role was proposed, generally ranging between $3 to $5 million annually for top coordinators in the NFL.
Ultimately, Glenn's pitch resonated with Reich, who they share a history with; they were teammates on the Jets back in 1996, a year that was notably challenging for the franchise with a dismal record of 1-15. Now, three decades later, they are reuniting within the same organization.
What does this mean for the Jets? Reich is well-regarded for his skills in quarterback development and his ability to create a positive atmosphere for his players. His previous roles include coaching Philip Rivers with the San Diego Chargers and playing a pivotal role in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl victory in 2017, where he helped transform Carson Wentz into an MVP contender and guided Nick Foles during the playoff run after Wentz was sidelined by injury. He joined the Indianapolis Colts as head coach in 2018, where he continued to call plays until his firing in 2022.
During his initial four years with the Colts, their offense consistently performed well, ranking seventh overall in offensive EPA, ninth in scoring, and fifth in rushing, despite having different quarterbacks each season: Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Rivers, and Wentz.
However, the situation turned troubling towards the end of his tenure. In his final nine games in 2022 with Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, the Colts' offense plummeted to the bottom of the league rankings. Following his resignation from the Colts, Reich's brief stint with the Panthers resulted in a dismal performance, culminating in a 1-10 record and further disappointment on several offensive metrics. His time at Stanford also saw difficulties, with the Cardinal finishing near the bottom nationally in scoring and yardage.
Stepping into the Jets organization presents its own challenges. The team currently lacks a clear starting quarterback and holds the second overall pick in a draft where the highly regarded prospect Fernando Mendoza is expected to be selected first. There’s speculation that the Jets might consider trading for Jacoby Brissett, currently with the Cardinals, as they look to solidify their quarterback situation. While the Jets anticipate the return of star wide receiver Garrett Wilson after an injury-plagued 2025 season, uncertainties loom over other key positions, including running back Breece Hall, who is heading into free agency, and the overall depth at tight end and wide receiver.
Historically, the Jets have struggled to maintain consistency in their coaching staff, with no offensive coordinator remaining with the team for more than two seasons since Brian Schottenheimer held the position from 2006 to 2011.
As the Jets embark on this new chapter with Reich at the helm of their offense, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can turn around the team's fortunes and bring stability to a long-suffering franchise.
