Per reports, New York Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is not expected to call plays in 2026. Gang Green will reportedly look to a veteran coach to assume the offensive play-calling duties.

Former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich is among the rumored names under consideration. However, as we’ve discussed, the Jets would deserve heavy criticism if they chose Reich, who has not had success in the NFL since 2021.

Instead of Reich, here are two candidates head coach Aaron Glenn should consider as the Jets search for their next offensive play-caller.

Greg Roman

Roman, 53, has been around the block, spending four stints as an NFL offensive coordinator. He served in that role for the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14), the Buffalo Bills (2015-16), and the Baltimore Ravens (2019-2022), while spending the last two seasons in Los Angeles as the Chargers’ OC.

Under his watch, Lamar Jackson blossomed into an MVP, winning the first of his two league honors. Roman built an offense around what Jackson did best and oversaw a Ravens rushing attack that was one of the NFL’s best, leading the league in rushing yards in his first two seasons and ranking in the top three again in 2021 and 2022.

While his offense struggled mightily in L.A. this season, finishing the year ranked 21st in offensive DVOA, it was largely due to injuries across the Chargers’ offensive line.

Roman has been regarded as one of the NFL’s best run-game designers, but his system is predicated upon having a dominant offensive line. That foundation never fully came together this season in L.A. due to injuries.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater was lost for the year after suffering a left patellar tendon injury in training camp, and former fifth-overall pick Joe Alt appeared in just six games before a high right ankle injury ended his season in Week 9. The Chargers ultimately shuffled through 29 different offensive line combinations, the third-most in the league.

In contrast, though, the Jets have their building blocks in hand across the offensive line. They have two young stalwarts at the tackle spots and a strong interior starter in Joe Tippmann. New York started the same five linemen in all 17 games this past season.

The former AP Assistant Coach of the Year would not be a dream hire in New York, but he could emerge as a viable fallback option if the Jets are unable to land someone like Doug Pederson, who should be their top target.

Doug Pederson

Pederson, 57, is one of the most experienced offensive minds available.

After sitting out the 2025 season, the 57-year-old last coached in the NFL as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach from 2022-24. Pederson is best remembered for leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title following the 2017 season, serving as the franchise’s head coach from 2016-20.

In eight seasons as an NFL head coach, Pederson owns a 64-66-1 regular-season record and a 5-3 mark in the postseason.

Under Pederson’s watch in 2022, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence set still-standing career highs in passing yards (4,113), passer rating (95.2), and net yards per attempt (6.4), while earning Pro Bowl honors. Jacksonville’s offense as a whole that season ranked 10th in DVOA under Pederson’s play-calling.

Speaking on NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” Pederson expressed his eagerness to return to the NFL coaching ranks.

Given his track record as a head coach and primary play-caller along with his experience developing young quarterbacks, the Super Bowl-winning head coach should be New York’s top target.