Jets keep poaching Lions, hire Tanner Engstrand as OC

Field Level Media|published: Fri 31st January, 19:47 2025

Detroit Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand watches practice at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.

The New York Jets announced the hiring of Tanner Engstrand as their next offensive coordinator on Friday, continuing to raid the Detroit Lions' cupboard in the process.

Engstrand, 42, was on the Lions' staff since 2020 and served as their passing game coordinator for the past three seasons.

He follows Aaron Glenn to New York after the Jets tapped Glenn, formerly Detroit's defensive coordinator, as their new head coach. The Jets also recently hired ex-Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden to be their offensive line coach.

Engstrand helped Jared Goff and the Lions rank No. 1 in the NFL in scoring offense (33.2 points per game), No. 2 in total offense (409.5 yards per game) and No. 2 in passing offense (263.2 ypg) this past season.

Engstrand has yet to serve as an offensive coordinator in the NFL, but he did so at the University of San Diego from 2011-17. He played quarterback at Grossmont College and San Diego State.

Engstrand was a San Diego State teammate of new Jets general manager Darren Mougey, also a quarterback, in 2004. Current Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was the starting quarterback.

The Jets have a major decision to make with their own quarterback, as 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers expressed during last season that if he were to continue playing in 2025, he'd want it to be for New York.

--Field Level Media

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