Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand encouraged by strong start
Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand answers questions from reporters during practice onn July 31 in Florham Park, N.J. Credit: Noah K. Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Tanner Engstrand had some pregame jitters before making his debut as an NFL offensive coordinator. He then settled in nicely.
The Jets’ offense produced its highest-scoring Week 1 game since 2018 in a 34-32 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. Because they lost, Engstrand wasn’t taking any victory laps, but he’s very encouraged by what the offense did and what it can become.
“Any time you have efficiency and some explosiveness like we had, you’re going to be encouraged by what you did,” he said Wednesday. “The exciting part about it was that we saw the things that we have talked about from the spring until now show up on the tape.”
The Jets made no secret that they plan to be a physical team and run-first offense. That was established Sunday.
They dominated the line of scrimmage, running for 182 yards — the fourth-most in the NFL in Week 1 — and allowing only one sack of Justin Fields.
“Something that we’ve talked about throughout the spring and into training camp of our DNA and what we want to look like on offense, I think that showed up,” Engstrand said.
This was his first time calling an NFL game, but he’s done it at other stops in his career. He spent seven years as the offensive coordinator for the University of San Diego and two more for the DC Defenders of the XFL.
Engstrand, 43, worked for the Lions the previous five seasons, the last three as passing game coordinator under Ben Johnson. Aaron Glenn brought Engstrand with him to the Jets and gave him his first NFL offensive coordinator job, and he made a good first impression.
The Jets’ 394 yards of offense were their most in Week 1 since 2014. According to Engstrand’s metrics, explosive plays are any completion that goes at least 16 yards and any carry that gains at least 12 yards. The Jets had 11 such plays in Week 1. They shoot for eight each game.
The loss stung, but Engstrand felt it was only the beginning for the offense.
“We got to put more points on the board, bottom line,” he said. “It was not enough Sunday. It wasn’t enough. But we can be encouraged about what we put on tape.”
The Jets probably will need to score a lot of points this Sunday when reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Bills visit MetLife Stadium.
The Bills have been a top-three scoring offense for four of the last five years. They scored 41 points in their dramatic one-point win over Baltimore last week, and Engstrand’s offense will have to produce again.
“We want to be consistent,” Glenn said. “We don’t want to be a flash in the pan; we get 32 one week and get 10 the next week. I know that happens because there are some good defenses.”
Fields also had an encouraging Jets debut. He threw for 218 yards and a touchdown and had two rushing scores. His 119.1 passer rating was the fourth best of his career.
Fields, playing for his fourth coordinator in five years, said Engstrand is “a great OC” and “a great offensive mind.” He appreciates that Engstrand listens when Fields tells him things that he likes and doesn’t like and adjusts in-game.
Engstrand followed his “gut feeling” and called the naked bootleg on fourth-and-goal from the 1 that Fields ran in for a touchdown to give the Jets a 32-31 lead. Engstrand thought it would be open because of how Pittsburgh was defending. He was right.
Receiver Garrett Wilson also praised Engstrand, his fourth coordinator in four years. Wilson said Engstrand holds everyone to a standard and doesn’t waver.
“Being someone that’s been around a few coordinators, I can respect the way he goes about his business,” Wilson said. “It’s on us to go out and execute, which we want to do so that guys like that can stay around because he’s great at what he does.”
Engstrand acknowledged he made some mistakes and took the blame for the Jets getting a delay-of-game penalty because he didn’t get the play in on time.
“That was my fault,” he said. “I can be better at that. So I’ll improve and I’ll be better this week.”
That’s also encouraging for the Jets.
Gardner limited
Sauce Gardner popped up on the injury report Thursday. He was limited because of a groin issue after practicing fully on Wednesday. Receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring) didn’t practice. He was a full participant Wednesday. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor (ankle) was limited, an upgrade from Wednesday, when he didn’t practice.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
