Entering the offseason, it’s important to analyze the season as a whole. Change is difficult, but without reflection on your previous shortcomings, it won’t lead to success. Especially when entering uncharted territories for the first time. After the way the 2025 season went, Aaron Glenn is wasting no time trying to course-correct. Over the weekend, reports emerged that the New York Jets were making significant changes to the coaching staff. While opening up several new assistant coach positions, it also came out that the offensive staff is going to really shake things up.
The team is pursuing a veteran offensive mind to serve as playcaller after firing Tanner Engstrand. In fact, the first candidate is a major name looking to return to the NFL. SNY’s Connor Hughes reports Stanford Cardinal senior advisor Frank Reich is a favorite to join the staff. Before serving as Stanford’s interim head coach this year, the longtime NFL assistant coach was the Carolina Panthers head coach in 2023, before being fired in November after going 1-10. While he failed in Carolina, Reich brings head-coaching experience after a successful tenure as the Indianapolis Colts head coach from 2018 to 2022. If accepted, it would be Reich’s first assistant coach job since serving as the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl 52 champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
Jets Interested in Super Bowl Winning OC to Join Coaching Staff
After going 3-14 in his first year, head coach Aaron Glenn needed sweeping changes to his coaching staff. After winning only three games and coming off a 28-point loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he decided to fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Since then, the team has been looking for his replacement. However, recent reporting shows Glenn could be the playcaller on defense, regardless of who the team hires.
But that’s not all. After parting ways with Tanner Engstrand, New York needs a new offensive coordinator. The team is expected to inquire about Frank Reich, a two-time ex-NFL head coach & current Stanford Cardinal senior advisor. A New York native, Reich spent 13 years as a backup quarterback, with his most notable tenure backing up Hall of Famer Jim Kelly with the Buffalo Bills from 1985 to 1994. After retiring in 1999, Reich returned to the NFL, beginning his coaching career as an intern with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. After five years in Indianapolis, he became the Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach in 2012.
Frank Reich’s time as an Offensive Coordinator
The following year, Reich followed Ken Whisenhunt from Arizona to San Diego as the Chargers’ quarterback coach after Whisenhunt was named Chargers OC. The following year, Reich would succeed Whisenhunt as Chargers OC. In his first year as OC, Philip Rivers had a productive season. Reich would retain the position for another season before being fired in 2016. During Reich’s tenure, Rivers threw for 9,078 yards while completing 66.3% of his passes. Along with throwing 60 touchdowns to 31 interceptions. Afterwards, Reich would head east to become the OC for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After arriving in Philadelphia, Reich spent two seasons as the Eagles offensive coordinator. During that time, he played a big role in the development of second-overall pick Carson Wentz. By his second season, the young quarterback played like an MVP candidate in 2017. As a whole, the Eagles finished 2017 with a top-three offense, averaging 28.6 points/game. Despite losing Wentz to a torn ACL right before the playoffs, the Eagles rallied around backup Nick Foles. Thankfully, the veteran quarterback perfectly orchestrated the offense, leading to the Eagles first Super Bowl championship.
Things are progressing between the #Jets & Frank Reich, per sources. We’ll see if New York can get it done. They’re trying.
Would be a big get for Aaron Glenn’s offensive staff. Reich won a Super Bowl as OC of the Eagles (2016-2017), although Doug Pederson called plays. Served… pic.twitter.com/jRac1h9VBX
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 27, 2026
Frank Reich’s Colts tenure as a head coach
After the Super Bowl, Reich would return to Indianapolis to become the Colts head coach. Arriving in Indianapolis in 2018, Reich was helpful for star quarterback Andrew Luck. In 2018, Luck threw for over 4500 yards on 67% completion percentage. Along with 39 passing TDs to only 15 interceptions. The Colts would reach the playoffs and beat the Houston Texans in the wild-card game. Before eventually losing to the Chiefs in the Divisional game.
Unfortunately, Reich was delivered a brutal scenario the following year. Just before the 2019 season, Andrew Luck announced his retirement at only 29 years old. This led to a revolving door at quarterback for the Colts. From one season of Jacoby Brissett, to Philip Rivers, to Carson Wentz, and followed by two seasons with Matt Ryan. While Indianapolis would return to the playoffs in 2020, the Colts went 12-13-1 from 2021 to 2022, when Reich was fired midseason in 2022. Despite being fired in 2022, Reich did coach back-to-back top-ten offenses from 2020 to 2021 after Luck retired.
One last shot in Carolina
It didn’t take Reich long to land another head coach job. In 2023, Reich was hired by the Carolina Panthers to develop first overall pick Bryce Young. However, since they didn’t have the right infrastructure in place, Young struggled in his rookie season. Through the first 11 games, Carolina finished 29th in sacks allowed. While going 1-10 during that stretch, Reich would be fired in late November.
Despite an unsuccessful season in Carolina, Reich could benefit the team. Due to his experience both playing and coaching quarterbacks, the Jets passing game could develop under Reich’s watch. With the right quarterback, Reich’s experience can help round out the Jets offense if the team can retain Breece Hall to maintain their run game.
Main Photo: [Sergio Estrada] – Imagn Images