Report: Lions’ Tanner Engstrand agrees to terms to become Jets next OC

The move we’ve been expecting for a few days now looks like it’s finally done.

As expected, the Detroit Lions will no longer have Tanner Engstrand on staff. Their former passing game coordinator has reportedly agreed to terms to become the New York Jets’ next offensive coordinator, following former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The Lions have already filled Engstrand’s vacancy, reportedly agreeing to hire former Stanford head coach David Shaw as their next pass game coordinator.

Still, it’s a tough loss for the Lions. Engstrand, just 42 years old, had been one of the up-and-comers in the Lions’ coaching staff. Many believed him to be one of the favorites to take over as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, with Ben Johnson leaving to become the Chicago Bears’ next head coach. However, the Lions opted to hire externally, giving the job to former Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton.

Engstrand has been with the Lions since 2020, starting out as an offensive assistant. He then worked his way to quality control (2021), tight ends coach/passing game coordinator (2022), before becoming just the passing game coordinator in 2023-24.

“He’s bringing a lot more ideas to the pass game in general,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Engstrand in 2023. “And I think really from the gameplan aspect is where you really see it, as well as, man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he kind of works in those rooms too. And then we go out, we do the walkthroughs, we do practice and so he’s got a hand in all that too. So, I just—I see a lot of growth and if you’re asking me what I’ve really seen over a three-year period is the growth in vision and gameplan.”

Here’s the updated list of coaches the Lions have lost to other jobs this offseason:

• Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (Bears HC)
• Passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand (Jets OC)
• Assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett (Bears QB coach)
• WR coach Antwaan Randle El (Bears WR coach/assistant HC)
• TE coach Steve Heiden (Jets OL coach)
• Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (Jets HC)
• DL coach Terrell Williams (Patriots DC)
• Assistant DL coach Cameron Davis (parting ways)

And here are the Lions’ hirings and promotions:

• Offensive coordinator John Morton (former Broncos passing game coordinator)
• Pass game coordinator David Shaw (former Stanford head coach)
• OL coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley (former Lions OL coach)
• Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard (former Lions LB coach)
• DL coach Kacy Rodgers (former Bucs DL coach)
• LB coach Shaun Dion Hamilton (former Lions assistant LB coach)