The New York Jets are making a significant move to revitalize their offense, bringing in a seasoned coach with a Super Bowl pedigree! After a thorough search that spanned several weeks, it appears Head Coach Aaron Glenn has secured his top choice: Frank Reich is set to become the next offensive coordinator for the Jets. This news comes from reliable league sources who shared the information with The Athletic.
The Jets recently parted ways with their offensive coordinator from last season, Tanner Engstrand. Several prominent figures in the coaching world interviewed for the role, including Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell, who both met in person. However, Frank Reich was consistently viewed as the frontrunner throughout the process. Lunda Wells and Ronald Curry also participated in virtual interviews.
This marks a return to an offensive play-calling role for Reich in the NFL, a position he hasn't held since his tenure as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, which ended with his dismissal during the 2023 season. Meanwhile, the Jets have also bolstered their defensive staff by hiring Brian Duker from the Miami Dolphins as their new defensive coordinator. Although Duker is in place, sources indicate that Glenn himself is expected to be the primary defensive play-caller.
But here's where it gets interesting... A few weeks ago, Glenn began exploring the idea of bringing in a veteran offensive coach. The initial thought was for Engstrand to remain offensive coordinator but relinquish play-calling duties. This led to a conversation with Jon Gruden, a former head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is now a media personality. Gruden, however, was not interested in the role. It was then that Frank Reich emerged as Glenn's ultimate target.
Reich, who is 64 years old, spent the 2025 season as the interim head coach at Stanford University and was reportedly considering a senior advisory role for their football program in 2026 when the Jets made their move. Those close to Reich believed he was contemplating retirement. According to sources, Glenn presented a compelling vision, pitching Reich on the idea of being the “head coach of the offense.” This would allow Glenn to dedicate his full attention to transforming the Jets' defense. To sweeten the deal, Reich was offered a substantial salary for a coordinator position, with top NFL coordinators typically earning between $3 million and $5 million annually.
Ultimately, Glenn's persuasive approach won Reich over. Perhaps their shared history played a role? Believe it or not, Glenn and Reich were once teammates on the Jets back in 1996, with Reich as the starting quarterback and Glenn as a cornerback. (That season was a tough one, with the team finishing a dismal 1-15 under Rich Kotite.) Now, three decades later, they are reuniting with the same franchise.
And this is the part most people miss... What exactly are the Jets getting in Reich? He is widely respected for his knack for developing quarterbacks and for cultivating a positive and supportive atmosphere for his players. His coaching journey includes a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers (when they were still in San Diego) from 2013-2015, where he served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, working closely with Philip Rivers. He was also a pivotal figure in the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory, serving as offensive coordinator. During that championship run, he played a crucial role in developing Carson Wentz into an MVP candidate and expertly managed the transition to Nick Foles when Wentz suffered an injury.
Reich then took the helm as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, where he continued to call plays until his dismissal during the 2022 season. In his initial four seasons with the Colts, the offense demonstrated consistent success, ranking seventh in offensive Expected Points Added (EPA), ninth in scoring, eleventh in total yards, fifth in rushing, fifteenth in passing, seventh in third-down conversion rate, and eleventh in red-zone efficiency. Impressively, he achieved these results with a different starting quarterback each season, including Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Carson Wentz.
However, the recent track record raises some concerns. In the nine games of the 2022 season before his firing, with Matt Ryan under center, the Colts' offense plummeted to 32nd in EPA, 31st in scoring, 27th in yards, 30th in rushing, 12th in passing, 24th on third down, and 31st in the red zone. His time with the Panthers was similarly challenging; in 11 games during the 2023 season, Carolina managed only a 1-10 record, leading to his mid-season dismissal. Under Reich, the Panthers' offense ranked 29th in EPA, 29th in scoring, 30th in yards, 28th in rushing, 30th in passing, 20th on third down, and 19th in the red zone. The struggles were even more pronounced at Stanford, where the team was significantly outmatched talent-wise, finishing 122nd in scoring and 127th in yards nationally.
It's important to note that Reich isn't walking into an ideal situation with the Jets. The team currently faces uncertainty at the starting quarterback position. They hold the second overall pick in an upcoming draft where the only quarterback widely considered a surefire top-10 talent, Fernando Mendoza, is projected to go first overall. There's a possibility the Jets might look to their past and pursue a trade for Jacoby Brissett, who is now with the Arizona Cardinals. While Carson Wentz is a free agent, a reunion seems unlikely given the way things ended in Indianapolis. On a positive note, the Jets will welcome back star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was hampered by injuries in 2025, and they boast a solid offensive line. However, running back Breece Hall is set to become a free agent, and the Jets lack established depth at tight end and wide receiver.
Historically, the Jets haven't had an offensive coordinator remain in the role for more than two seasons since Brian Schottenheimer, who served from 2006 to 2011.
February 4, 2026
What are your thoughts on this hire? Do you believe Frank Reich can turn the Jets' offense around, especially given the team's current quarterback situation? Let us know in the comments below!
