The New York Jets didn’t waste much time swinging the axe once the season ended.
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is out after just one year on the job, becoming the latest casualty of a campaign that spiraled badly and never really recovered.
It’s another clear signal that the Jets know standing still isn’t an option after a year that left fans exhausted and executives searching for answers.
One Season Under Aaron Glenn, One Big Mess
Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach couldn’t have gone much worse in the win-loss column.
The Jets limped to a 3–14 finish, miles away from relevance and nowhere near competitive when it mattered most.
The ending was especially ugly. New York dropped its final five games while getting absolutely overwhelmed, surrendering 188 points and scoring just 46 in return.
That stretch neatly summed up a franchise now staring at 15 straight seasons without a playoff appearance.
Mistakes That Snowballed Quickly
This season didn’t collapse because of one bad bounce or a couple of injuries.
There were decisions that backfired almost immediately.
Turning the offense over to Justin Fields didn’t deliver the spark the Jets hoped for, and the defensive side unraveled after the hiring — and eventual firing — of Steve Wilks.
Each move felt like a gamble, and nearly all of them came up empty.
Why Engstrand Was the First to Go
Engstrand arrived with Glenn after the two worked together in Detroit, where Engstrand had been part of the Lions’ coaching staff since 2020.
Over his final three seasons there, he handled passing game duties, earning enough trust to follow Glenn to New York.
But trust only stretches so far. With the offense sputtering and the season sliding off the rails, Engstrand became the first domino to fall in what’s shaping up to be a dramatic offseason overhaul.
The Quarterback Question Looms Large
One of the biggest unknowns hovering over the Jets is Justin Fields’ future.
Fields started nine games before being benched, then ended the year on injured reserve with a knee issue.
Technically, he still has a year left on his contract — but few around the league expect him back.
Holding the No. 2 overall pick gives the Jets a massive decision to make.
Drafting a quarterback early feels like the obvious route, though the team could also look for a veteran option in free agency to steady the ship.
A Star Runner Who Might Walk
The uncertainty doesn’t stop under center. Running back Breece Hall is heading toward free agency after recording the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his four-year career.
Hall’s name floated around in trade rumors during the season, and now he stands as the most recognizable player who could leave the building. Whether the Jets can afford to keep him — or even want to — is another major question.
Glenn Takes the Blame and Tries to Steady the Room
Despite the chaos, Glenn hasn’t pointed fingers. If anything, he’s owned the failure publicly, telling fans and players alike that the responsibility starts with him.
“We’re frustrated about this season,” Glenn said. “I know the players are frustrated too.
But there’s also faith that comes with that.
We went through this whole year to learn a lot about ourselves, about the roster, and about how we can get better.
I have total confidence in that, and I want the fans to have total confidence in that also.”
What’s Next?
For now, firing Engstrand looks less like an isolated move and more like the opening chapter of a long offseason.
The Jets have draft capital, tough personnel calls, and a fan base desperate for proof that this rebuild won’t turn into another false dawn.
Change has started. Whether it’s the right kind remains the biggest question of all.
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