I took a few weeks to develop this project, attempting to put my mind into New York Jets OC Tanner Engstrand’s mind with the resources I have.
As an aspiring coach myself, this was an extremely meaningful exercise for me. I took this incredibly seriously, as if I was truly hoping to install these plays for the upcoming season, telling the head coach/OC, “Hey, let’s take a look at why these would work for our QB/offense.”
I compiled a collection of plays/diagrams, along with explanations for how they would be run and why they would work. My goal was to find 10 perfect examples; Engstrand on the other hand, I’m sure, is currently compiling hundreds of plays for his playbook.
I have always been taught, “Less plays, more ways!” That was my goal here.
Let’s dive into it.
QB runs
As we build an offense around Justin Fields, what I would love to see is a diverse menu of QB run/RPO concepts. I looked deep into Shane Steichen’s Colts playbook; shoutout to @ColtsFilmRoom on Twitter, who helped with some of this!
1. QB Counter RPO TE Flat
Throughout this exercise, understand that the alignment, personnel, and formations do not need to be exact. It’s more about the intent of the play at hand.
Here is the intent of this play and why it suits Fields well.
This may seem simple, but using Justin’s legs in the red zone creatively is going to be extremely important for us. Anyone could say, “Just run a QB draw, etc.,” but it’s not that easy, nor is it how things work.
This play from Steichen is brilliant, as it gives the QB an option if the flat-corner combo pops open. The Colts are running QB Counter with an RPO tag to the front side. This is a gap scheme run that ends up hitting right up the A-gap here for an easy TD.
Having your WRs run routes on this play (making it an RPO) keeps two more players out of the box count (to fit the run), allowing this play to hit with such ease. It also helps that the second-level players bump over a gap with the pre-snap motion, and the D-line slants to the left on the snap.
Also, it is important to note that this is setting up the pass option of this play for later in the game/season (see below). Every play has to have a “why” behind it: “What else can we run from this exact look to catch the defense off guard?”
Lastly, yes, this is 13P (1 WR, 3 TEs), and the RG/Y in the backfield are our pullers. So, pencil in AVT and, at the moment, Jeremy Ruckert for those spots (not ideal at TE; the Jets need to draft a TE high, in my opinion).
Overall, this is an easy read/play for Justin that removes a lot of thinking and lets him be an athlete as Aaron Glenn has alluded to. Add it to the playbook, Tanner.
Seen below, the Colts hit the pass option of this RPO.
The Colts were able to hit a variation of this look on the pass option three weeks later! Again, less plays, more ways! This is a slightly different formation than the original clip but it plays out the same for Richardson read-wise.
2. Zone Read Y Escort/Fly Motion
Another gorgeously drawn-up play from Steichen.
Why it works for Justin:
Richardson is reading the EMOL (end man on the LOS) here. The EMOL is clearly crashing on Taylor, so it is an easy pull read.
I love how the play side WR is crack-replacing here on the DB. This play could have really went for more if there was better blocking from the F. Again, it may seem simple – it is not – but this is another play where Fields can think less and just be an athlete in the RZ/short-yardage game for the NYJ.
Keep in mind the number of things that you can draw up from this exact look: give to the RB, throw to the Y in the flat, or truly make it an RPO with routes on the outside. That is what makes me excited about Justin’s athleticism and how New York can build the offense around his strengths with RPOs like this.
The goal is to put stress on a defense, making them stay gap-sound and true to a possible run while also having the option and ability to hit explosive plays behind them.
3. QB Spinner
(Shoutout to Coach Dan Casey!)
This is another great run concept from Steichen. I would picture Downs (No. 1) being Garrett Wilson or Malachi Corley here.
After we run the keeper, we always have the option of giving the ball in our back pocket to keep the defense honest. All of these plays have change-ups/curveballs that can be thrown off of them, which makes them great options to have in our playbook.
Fields-wise, this is simply letting the athlete in him take over. Getting him out in space like this will be paramount for the Jets offense. Add this one to the menu of QB run plays, which should be a lengthy list for Engstrand.
An RPO would hit off this one too, for what it’s worth, with Richardson keeping it and the crack turning into a crack and go! I love this play for the options you can run off of it as well.
4. Zone Read F Bubble Y Glance
Here’s an RPO from the Baltimore Ravens. It’s simple and gives the QB multiple options to choose from pre-snap.
We are trying to streamline the process for Justin and have him think as little as possible post-snap. Let’s just make it a numbers game! If the box count works advantageously for the handoff, then hand it off. If the count to the field for the bubble is in our favor, throw that!
Or, if we want to read the handoff, and the Mike is influenced by the action, rip the glance/drift route behind him!
Implementing this play into the game plan will be easy, as we will give Justin a clear picture to look for, for each option. I would pencil in Stone Smartt as the Y here, with Garret Wilson at the F. We can run this play 3-5 times a game and stress the defense in numerous ways, while keeping things simple for our QB.
5. QB Draw C Fold
Last RPO/QB run play from me that needs to be in the playbook.
Let’s highlight some of our best players’ attributes. I would consider this to be an “RPO,” but it seems to be a predetermined keep from Richardson that works out against a light box. Joe Tippmann is more than able to fold and lead block on an example like this, with Allen/Hall lead blocking as well.
A play like this stresses the defense horizontally and is a prime example of why having a QB that can run is great for a modern day offense in the NFL. Again, just make it a box count for Fields. If the draw has advantageous numbers, run it! If the slot blitzes, we have a hot route behind him with a stick from our Y. Answers, answers, answers. Support everywhere!
Passing game
6. RB Wheel TE Leak
(Credit to Coach Dan Casey)
Onto the passing game, and for Justin, in my opinion, it is still a lot of the same ideologies.
My goal is to not have him process too much post-snap. Let’s use his legs when we can to move the pocket, and play to his strengths as a passer!
This first example moves Fields off of his spot in a good way, resetting the pocket. There is a clear hi-lo for him to read: if the RB wheel is open, rip it, if not, we have the Y leak right under it. If he feels that’s not there, fine! Go make something happen with your legs; we’re outside the pocket.
It’s a clever play call that requires some thought before running it, regarding where and when it could work the best, but it is a concept that has a clear thought process behind it. Along with that, it is one that Engstrand likely implemented himself. We can hand this off first, or even run QB Sweep, and then call this to hit the defense in the mouth with an explosive.
7. 2023 Detroit Lions, Hiccup Concept
This is designed to look exactly like a normal play-action keeper flood concept that the Lions love to run, but here, our Y runs a corner post instead of a corner route.
Again, this play is a variation of a normal keeper PA read, and plays into the aggressiveness of the defense thinking they know what’s coming. This is a great wrinkle that is called with the intention of hitting an explosive.
For Fields, he has an easy read post-snap, knowing that his main read is the corner post, and if that’s not there, he has an outlet in the flat, or he can use his legs.
This play is somewhat similar to what is asked of Fields in the clip below.
He sprints out one way, resets, flips his hips, and throws with high-level accuracy.
Streamline the process, use his mobility with play-action to reset the pocket, and if this is open, we know that Fields has the arm talent/strength to hit it.
8. Miami Mesh Concept
Let’s break up the monotony a bit. Here is an extremely abbreviated version of notes I would give to our QB when installing this play:
Notes: Mesh, good for RZ/short yardage situations where we anticipate man coverage.
Call: Gun Trips RT Snug F Dover X Dagger (if we tag 60, that’s 6-man protection with H staying in to block)
QB: Ready for this in a high leverage, 3rd and 5 or less, man/match coverage situation. We have many runaways for you here. 3-step drop. Read the mesh, we like our chances there. If not open, reset, get to the over/dagger based on what you liked pre-snap coverage/matchup-wise. Checkdown available if needed, make sure to read the mesh first, but H is your HOT.
Ideally read this out: Mesh, F, X, H
Redzone
9. Strike Concept
Here’s a nice concept in the RZ for Fields, coming from the 2023 Lions! It’s noteworthy because Engstrand was the passing game coordinator this year.
The Strike progression here is: Sit – Strike – Flat. The footwork is really one step and set.
I love this play for the RZ and for Fields because it gives him a half-field read that clears up the picture for him and does not make him have to process too much. The back is his hot to the flat if he sees zero. If not, he has a pure progression from the Y-H-R, and the strike route is great for the RZ because you see match coverage a lot in that area.
Now, would I love for the backside swirl route to be in play if needed? Sure, but that is not a strong suit for Fields, which is why the three-route progression on the play side is a good concept for him.
It is again important for the “H” here to be big-bodied and have short-area quickness. Perhaps Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland? It could be Lazard… if he could catch or move at all.
For a few of these plays, the Jets may currently lack the personnel to run it effectively. This is why I think drafting a guy like Warren/Loveland would be extremely smart for the Jets (and for my playbook to thrive).
10. Mesh Rail
(Shoutout to Coach Dan Casey again!)
Another 2023 Lions passing concept that is easily transferable to the Jets offense this year.
Mesh Rail is an extremely fun concept that is run by every team in the NFL, and it is a helpful one for your QB to have a clear read/post-snap picture. The detail that goes into this play from the Lions is also something that Engstrand should be bringing to the Jets.
The alignment is double stacks, so the X gets a free release on the outside here – this is important for the mesh to work. In the clip, we see an outstanding job by current Jets WR Josh Reynolds to run mesh, as he runs right at the DB covering St. Brown without contacting him, which makes the DB slow down just a step and allows St. Brown to get open for the TD.
As for Justin’s read, he has the rail from the RB as his hot route if needed, but it is truly Rail to Mesh for Fields – not a complicated progression. If you call mesh, you are likely anticipating man/match coverage, so I would tell Justin that, in that case, I would want for him to go from Rail to Mesh to scramble. (It is rare to tell a guy to scramble after 2 progressions, but when anticipating with a guy like Fields, I like it.)
My final thoughts
The goal of these plays is to give Fields as many answers as humanly possible when he is on the football field. Too many times in Pittsburgh, it felt like he was searching for answers or unable to process things. These plays are designed for him to be comfortable playing the hardest position in sports, while maximizing his skillset as a signal caller.
If Mr. Engstrand is looking for consultation, my email is in my bio.
