Packers could capitalize on a recent mistake to bring a sharp former rival mind into the building at the perfect time
Tanner Engstrand would be a valuable addition to the offensive coaching staff.
A year ago, Tanner Engstrand was one of the hot names in the coaching hiring cycle. Now, he’s out of a job. That’s life in the NFL, yes, but in particular life when you decide to go to the New York Jets. After a year as the offensive coordinator under Aaron Glenn, Engstrand was fired after not reaching a middle ground to become a non-playcalling OC.
In reality, Engstrand moved to an impossible situation. The Jets started a combination of quarterbacks that included Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook, a suboptimal offensive line, and an overall situation where hardly anyone would have succeeded.
Now, Engstrand waits for his next opportunity — and maybe the Green Bay Packers could present it to him.
Former rival
A 43-year-old coach, Tanner Engstrand spent five seasons on the Detroit Lions before going to the Jets. On the NFC North rival, he was an offensive assistant, offensive quality control coach, tight ends coach, and passing game coordinator.
He climbed the coaching ladder and grew under Ben Johnson. With realistic opportunities to stay on the Lions or follow Johnson to the Chicago Bears, Engstrand opted to follow Glenn to the Jets, where he could be a play-caller. Now that he’s been fired, the Packers could have a space for him on the coaching staff behind Matt LaFleur.
At the moment, the Packers have offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, passing game coordinator Jason Vrable, tight ends coach John Dunn, and senior assistant Luke Getsy all under contract. So there’s not any intuitive spot for the former rival.
But first, things can change fast — for example, quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion may get the Philadelphia Eagles’ OC job, which would likely prompt Getsy as the favorite for the QBs coach spot. Even Stenavich can still get a play-calling opportunity elsewhere, opening the OC job in Green Bay.
Second, LaFleur could simply create a spot for Engstrand. While the Packers head coach likes to know his assistants well and keep the same offensive philosophy, it would be intriguing to have a different perspective on the staff — especially with a coach who has a solid passing game background.
His knowledge of the system both the Lions and Bears are running won’t hurt either.
The Packers are still building their 2026 staff, and the mistake the Jets made might just be the perfect opportunity for Green Bay.
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