Jets OC Tanner Engstrand confident struggling group can turn it around

Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand answers questions from reporters during... — Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand answers questions from reporters during practice on July 31 in Florham Park, N.J. Credit: Noah K. Murray

By Al Iannazzoneal.iannazzone@newsday.com Al_IannazzoneUpdated October 23, 2025 8:39 pm

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets’ quarterback play and overall offensive production have been at or near the bottom of the league, but Tanner Engstrand says his confidence is “at an all-time high” that things will change.

Engstrand, a first-time NFL offensive coordinator, is the play-caller for a team that has gone two weeks without scoring a touchdown and six without getting in the end zone in the first half. Yet Engstrand said he has “the utmost confidence” in his players and total belief in himself that he will be able to get the job done.

“Absolutely,” he said Thursday. “No waver at all.”

The Jets (0-7) are playing the NFL’s second-worst defense on Sunday in Cincinnati, so things could change. But they were a similar position in Week 5 when Dallas visited MetLife Stadium. Justin Fields didn’t lead a touchdown drive until the Jets were behind 30-6 in the fourth quarter.

Fields might not be leading the offense on Sunday, though. Aaron Glenn has chosen not to announce whether Fields or Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback because he doesn’t want to give the Bengals “a competitive advantage.”

Engstrand said he didn’t “have much to add on the quarterback situation.”

Taylor said “I don’t know” when asked if he knew his role.

“I have no anticipation for it,” he said. “My mind and my sole focus is being available and ready to be able to lead this team when called upon.”

It would be difficult to justify sticking with Fields, considering the Jets’ offensive struggles and owner Woody Johnson’s harsh criticism of Fields earlier this week.

“I’m disappointed for our team that we’re sitting here at 0-and-7, not just individually for Justin,” Engstrand said. “I’m disappointed that I haven’t been able to help deliver wins on a consistent basis for the team.”

Regardless of who the quarterback is, a big focus for Engstrand continues to be finishing — drives and games.

The Jets have not scored a touchdown on their opening drive this season. They’ve kicked field goals on four of their first series and had one impressive drive derailed when Braelon Allen fumbled at the 1-yard line in Miami.

They’ve also had the ball late in three games with chances to tie or win. The Jets came up empty each time, including twice in last week’s 13-6 loss to Carolina.

Since Week 1, the only leads the Jets had after halftime were from a blocked field goal that Will McDonald returned for a touchdown in Tampa and a safety against Denver in London.

“There has been some searching on my part to see what can I do better to help us and to really put those guys in the position to have success consistently throughout the game,” Engstrand said. “There’s a few things that I’m finding, which is really good and that’s going to help us. But if you ask me, am I frustrated? I think everybody probably has a level of frustration when you go a couple of games without scoring a touchdown as an offense.”

Engstrand said the “most disappointing thing” is not executing and producing at the end of some of these close games.

The Jets likely will be undermanned on offense for the second straight game. Garrett Wilson didn’t practice Thursday because of a knee injury. Their No. 1 wide receiver is trending toward missing his second straight game. Now there’s a question about tight end Mason Taylor’s availability. Taylor didn’t practice Thursday because of a quadriceps injury.

Running back Breece Hall (knee) and Taylor (knee) were limited for the second straight day. Taylor sounded confident that he will be able to play.

Hall was expected to be more involved in the passing game this season but has a total of two catches in the last two games. Engstrand said Hall’s usage has been low because he has been used more as a blocker in pass protection. The Jets have allowed an NFL-high 31 sacks.

“I think we have to pick our spots with that,” Engstrand said. “He’s maybe been a little bit more involved in helping in the protection plan as opposed to free releasing and getting out . . . I don’t think it’s been a lack of want to, if that makes sense to you. I think it’s just been a matter of what we feel is maybe best for the protection plan.”