Surprising NFL coaching move could be Eagles’ saving grace in search of new offensive coordinator
A top candidate just became available for Philadelphia.
The New York Jets surprised plenty of folks this week when they moved on from offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
With the Philadelphia Eagles still looking for a new OC to replace Kevin Patullo as their play caller, Nick Sirianni and Co. should look his way immediately.
Tanner Engstrand should be top candidate for Eagles OC opening
Tanner Engstrand was with New York for just one season. While that unit did not particularly dominate on the score board or the stat sheet, we have to keep in mind the quarterback situation. Justin Fields began the season as the starter before giving way to a mixture of Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook. Yikes.
If we’re being honest, the amount of play callers finding success in a passing game with those QB options is incredibly limited. Prior too his time with the Jets, Engstrand spent 2020-2024 with the Detroit Lions.
With Detroit, he worked closely with OC Ben Johnson, the now Chicago Bears head coach who led them to the Divisional Round of the postseason. He’s spent time with a multitude of elite offensive minds so far in his coaching career.
The New York Giants, an Eagles rival in the NFC East, could have Engstrand on their radar as well as they look for an OC under new head coach John Harbaugh. There will be suitors for his services, either as an offensive coordinator or some other sort of assistant coach this offseason.
Engstrand had not called plays prior to becoming the Jets OC, and he did not even get a full season of experience doing it. He lost those duties before the season ended, but I’m not sure what head coach Aaron Glenn expected from a unit with arguably the worst QB situation in the NFL and without its star wide receiver.
Alas, there is risk involved since he doesn’t have extensive play calling reps, but taking that sort of swing is how you land a hidden gem in the NFL. Philadelphia cannot settle in this search, or they will be looking for a new OC a year from now, again.
For the Eagles, replacing Kevin Patullo with an offensive mind who is willing to take more chances and find unique ways to get talented pass catchers the football on an easier basis will be a task they must accomplish with this hire. Engstrand’s philosophy could line up well there.
How Engstrand differs from Kevin Patullo
In a media availability session, Engstrand focused on an aspect to a player’s game that Philadelphia struggled to evaluate and accommodate on offense in 2025.
“What I see there, is separation. I see separation — and that gets me fired up. That gets me excited about that player and where he’s gonna go. We haven’t even seen it, we haven’t seen it or scratched the surface with that guy, and we are excited about where he’s gonna go.” — Engstrand on Jets WR A.D. Mitchell
Separation talk! Eagles fandom clamored for less hitch routes and a bit more creativity in the passing game from the offense this season. Patullo and his staff never really changed the course, though, opting for an incredibly conservative style of play calling.
Under Engstrand, the Eagles would have more opportunities for the big play, and it could also appease A.J. Brown as they enter an offseason where his frustration could reach new heights in Philly.
Regardless, the former Jets OC should be firmly on the Eagles’ radar as this coaching search continues.
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