The Detroit Lions could lose another key coach, this time to the New York Jets.
The Detroit Lions coaching staff may be picked apart even more in the upcoming days. According to a report from NFL insider Josina Anderson, the New York Jets are involved in “substantive discussions” with Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand for their offensive coordinator vacancy.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson added to the report, noting his sources, “expressed confidence he will land the job.”
Engstrand has been a slow riser among the Lions coaching staff for the past several years. He joined in 2020 as an offensive assistant, was promoted to tight ends coach/pass game coordinator in 2022, and focused just on being the pass game coordinator for the past two seasons. Many viewed him as a candidate to replace Ben Johnson as the Lions offensive coordinator, but the Lions opted to hire former Broncos pass game coordinator John Morton instead.
It’s not surprising to see the Jets go after Engstrand, considering their new head coach is Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator for the past four years. As of this publishing, Glenn has not taken anyone from the Lions’ coaching staff with him yet, although he was only introduced as the Jets head coach on Monday. Their staff is still very much in the process of being built.
Engstrand is just one of a few candidates who have emerged for the Jets offensive coordinator job. Rams TE coach pass game coordinator Nick Caley was reportedly the early favorite, and Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner was also reportedly in the mix. Some also believed Lions quarterback coach Mark Brunell was a candidate for the job.
We’ll see if Glenn will poach Engstrand or any other Lions coach to join him in New York. You can track the latest Lions coaching news with our 2025 tracker.
