Any list of Detroit Lions assistant coaches who could accompany Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets leaned toward defense, with quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell emerging as an offensive coordinator contender. But Glenn is shifting focus to another Lions offensive assistant.
According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson, the Jets are in “substantive discussions” with Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand about their offensive coordinator position.
KPRC’s Aaron Wilson noted that his sources “expressed confidence” Engstrand “will land the job.”
Engstrand arrived late to the party as one of a few reported candidates for the Jets’ offensive coordinator position (Brunell, Rams tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Nick Caley, Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner), but he now appears to be the frontrunner.
Engstrand has been with the Lions since 2020, progressing from offensive assistant to offensive quality control coach (2021), tight ends coach/passing game coordinator (2022), and finally passing game coordinator the last two seasons.
Tanner Engstrand is expected to leave the Lions to join the Jets
Engstrand was widely regarded as a strong prospect to become Ben Johnson’s offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears, as well as a top internal candidate to succeed Johnson as Lions offensive coordinator. However, Johnson has recruited an offensive coordinator, and of course, the Lions have gone outside the organization to hire John Morton as Johnson’s replacement.
Engstrand’s coaching background defies his age (42), as it began in 2005 as a graduate assistant at the University of San Diego. He stayed at the institution until 2017, the last of his five seasons as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback. He rejoined with Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan in 2018, then served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the DC Defenders in the inaugural season of the XFL in 2020 before joining the Lions.
Glenn’s interest in Engstrand is not shocking; it was just difficult to envision the Jets (or wherever Glenn went as head coach) as Engstrand’s most visible option once the coaching carousel began to move. But those other possibilities appear to be gone, so Glenn is now making a full-throttle effort to hire Engstrand as his offensive coordinator.