Aaron Glenn Aims for Consistent Success with the Jets
When Dan Campbell was appointed as the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2021, one of his first major decisions was to bring Aaron Glenn on board as the defensive coordinator. Over the past four seasons, Glenn played a crucial role in the Lions’ defensive resurgence. Meanwhile, Ben Johnson, who had been part of Matt Patricia’s coaching staff, climbed the ranks from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator in 2022. Together with Campbell, Glenn and Johnson were instrumental in turning around the Lions, helping the team improve from a 3-13-1 record in 2021 to a dominant 27 regular-season wins and an NFC North title in 2023-24.
With both Glenn and Johnson emerging as highly sought-after coaching talents, Johnson was hired as the Chicago Bears’ head coach on January 21. The following day, the New York Jets made a splash by hiring Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. At the NFL Annual League Meeting in Florida, Johnson took a moment to discuss Glenn’s leadership and his new offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand.
Glenn’s Unique Leadership and Communication Skills
Johnson praised Glenn’s communication style, emphasizing how rare it is to find someone who excels in all aspects of coaching—former player, coach, and scout. “He’s so unique in terms of a communicator,” Johnson said. “He has a vast amount of experience, from playing at a high level to coaching and scouting. He can communicate the standard and hold players accountable while still making them feel supported. The players will love him, but they’ll also know they’re being pushed.”
Johnson also noted the quality of the staff that Glenn has assembled. “I knew Steve Wilks was going to be a trusted defensive presence, and obviously, I think the world of Tanner,” Johnson said, highlighting his trust in Engstrand, who has worked closely with him in the past.
Engstrand’s Journey and Role with the Jets
Tanner Engstrand, who will be the Jets’ new offensive coordinator, also has a significant background in coaching. He worked under Matt Patricia as an offensive assistant in 2020, before rising through the ranks to become the passing game coordinator in 2022. Johnson shared his respect for Engstrand’s development, noting that they shared a similar trajectory. “He and I have a shared experience. He climbed the coaching ladder just like I did, moving from a quality control role to tight ends coach, and then to passing game coordinator,” Johnson said. “Tanner is completely ready for this next step.”
Engstrand’s coaching experience includes time as the offensive coordinator for both the UC San Diego Tritons and the XFL’s DC Defenders. His extensive background makes him a solid fit for the Jets’ offense.
Engstrand’s Strengths and Play-Calling Responsibilities
Johnson praised Engstrand for his communication skills and his ability to manage game situations. “Tanner is an excellent communicator; he’ll do a great job leading the room with the players,” Johnson said. “Where he really excels is in game management, understanding what’s needed in different game situations—whether it’s getting into field goal range or scoring a touchdown.” Johnson added that Engstrand’s quick thinking and experience had a big impact on their offensive process in Detroit over the past two seasons.
While Engstrand is set to take on play-calling duties for the first time in the NFL, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to working with different quarterbacks. After a successful tenure with Jared Goff in Detroit, Johnson is now faced with coaching a new quarterback in Caleb Williams with the Bears, while Engstrand will be tasked with coaching the dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields with the Jets.
Adjusting to New Quarterbacks and Offensive Systems
Johnson acknowledged that while the foundation of the offense will be laid out in the spring, the final product won’t be fully realized until training camp. “You never really know what it will look like until we hit the field this spring, and even then, it will evolve throughout the season,” he said. He noted that while the Jets’ offense may need to evolve to fit Fields’ unique style, it will be exciting for him to observe how Engstrand handles the challenge of adapting the system.
“Just like I have a different style of quarterback in Chicago, Engstrand will face a similar challenge in New York. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles that adjustment,” Johnson concluded. As the Jets and Bears move forward, both teams will look to tailor their offensive systems to the strengths of their quarterbacks, making for a season full of exciting developments.
