The Detroit Lions were one of the best teams in the NFL this season, but they’re finding out that success comes with a price. The Lions lost both coordinators as Ben Johnson became the head coach of the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn left to become the head coach of the New York Jets and several other coaches have moved on to bigger roles during this year’s coaching cycle.
The latest could be Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand after he was passed over for Detroit’s offensive coordinator job last week. While nothing is finalized, he could join a familiar face in order to get the promotion that he didn’t get with the Lions.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that Engstrand was in substantive discussions for the Jets offensive coordinator job on Tuesday. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2-TV in Houston also reported that "many league sources have expressed confidence" the 42-year-old will land the job.
Engstrand has been a key member of the Lions staff dating back to 2020 and spent the last two seasons as the passing game coordinator. Detroit’s offense has taken off with Engstrand in the role, leading the NFL with 8,875 yards, ranking second with 69 touchdown passes and a 105.0 passer rating over the last two seasons.
It would have been an understandable choice if he was chosen to succeed Johnson as offensive coordinator. Instead, the Lions opted to go with Denver Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton, which has left Engstrand looking for a similar promotion.
With Glenn serving as the defensive coordinator for the past four years, it’s not surprising to see him pursue Engstrand for his staff in New York even with some competition. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Lions quarterback coach Mark Brunell was a candidate for the OC job while Los Angeles Rams tight end coach and passing coordinator Nick Caley and Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner were also mentioned as potential hires.
For now, it appears that the Jets’ OC job is Engstrand’s to lose and it could lead to another departure from the Lions staff this offseason.
