The New York Jets are 2-8, their offense is one of the worst in football behind a passing game that is statistically the absolute worst in the league, and they have benched the quarterback who was supposed to develop into a legitimate long-term option.
A lot of the onus is understandably falling on first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is doing what he can to alleviate some of that pressure by putting it on himself.
“I think the first thing I do is look inward at myself and go, ‘What is it that I can do better?’ There are definitely some things I can do better,” Engstrand said on Thursday prior to the Jets’ Week 12 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. ” I always want to look at myself first and see if I’m making sure I’m putting them in the right position. I have to continue to evaluate that on a daily basis. We’re in the situation that we’re currently in, and we’re going to move forward. “
Engstrand followed Glenn from the Detroit Lions in hopes of revitalizing the Jets’ stagnant offense, which had recently struggled through the flops of previous franchise quarterbacks, including Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, and even the supposed temporary savior, Aaron Rodgers. The 43-year-old had helped max out the Lions’ passing game while helping Jared Goff reach new heights.
That did not happen with Justin Fields at the Meadowlands. The Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers cast-off averaged fewer than 140 yards per game in nine starts with Gang Green, including a five-game stretch that saw him held to under 120 yards four times.
It forced Glenn to finally bench Fields nearly a month after owner Woody Johnson lambasted the passer during October’s owners’ meetings. Veteran career backup Tyrod Taylor will get the start against a Ravens team that has won four straight after starting the 2025 campaign 1-5. Their defense has allowed fewer than 20 points in each of its last five games.
“It never falls on just one guy,” Engstrand said. “We all know the quarterback is the one who gets a lot of the praise, gets a lot of the criticism. We all had a hand in it, and that starts with me.”
