Frank

Reich

Reich has been heavily rumored to take over as the Jets’ offensive play-caller since the team let go of offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The 64-year-old was head coach of the Colts for five seasons, followed by one season at the helm of the Panthers, making history as the first head coach to be fired midseason in back-to-back seasons. He was Stanford’s interim head coach for a bit in 2025 and is currently a senior advisor for the program. While Reich looks to be the favorite, the Jets also interviewed former Chargers OC Greg Roman, Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, and Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells for their offensive coordinator vacancy. A decision could be expected soon, though given the tumultuous nature of Aaron Glenn’s head coaching tenure, we would not be surprised if the process is lengthy.

Well, it really made no sense to keep Engstrand and find a new playcaller, so we guess from that point of view it makes sense. Engstrand’s run game was versatile and varied and he probably deserves a role as someone’s run game coordinator at the very worst next year — perhaps he’ll head back to Detroit. The Jets will do whatever it is the Jets do from here, which from the looks of their defensive coordinator search probably means they’ll wind up paralyzed by overanalyzing 10 different candidates. Frank Reich has been the rumored playcaller replacement for the Jets in recent days.

Reich, if he’s hired by the Jets, is expected to call plays for the team’s offense, per Hughes. That would mean current offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand would be demoted following a 2025 season in which the talent-bare Jets offense had the NFL’s fourth lowest EPA per play and third lowest success rate. Hughes said Engstrand could maintain his OC title. Reich, a former NFL quarterback, served as offensive coordinator for the Chargers and Eagles before becoming the Colts’ head coach and then the Panthers’ head coach. Both head coaching tenures proved disastrous.

An offensive coordinator not calling plays for a defensive-minded head coach certainly evokes a strong whiff of “what would you say you do here?” Hughes added that former Colts and Panthers HC Frank Reich is “among the names” he’s heard linked to the Jets. This is certainly an out-of-left-field development as the Jets’ run game was mostly praised last year despite what looked to be a pretty elementary passing game. Perhaps they’re trying to find someone who can assist with the passing part.

Frank Reich was recently fired as head coach of the Panthers, who are 1-10 after drafting QB Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson received head coaching interest from the Panthers last off-season, but had declined an interview and chose to stay in Detroit. Reich, who was hired by the Panthers instead, is now out after 11 games and the 37-year-old Johnson is expected to receive interest for the Panthers’ head coaching vacancy again.

Heading into Week 11, FOX’s Jay Glazer reported Reich was on the “hottest seat in the league.” A Week 12 loss to the Titans was likely the boiling point for the front office and owner David Tepper, who was reportedly heard shouting expletives while leaving the locker room. We may not ever fully know who was responsible for the disaster that has unfolded in Carolina this season, but No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young’s struggles have been well documented and amplified by the fact that No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud has thrived early with the Texans. Rumors are Stroud was the preferred pick over Young by Reich and the staff, but the selection of Young came directly from Tepper. Still, Carolina’s issues extend beyond their rookie quarterback. The Panthers are among the worst pass-blocking units in the league and boast a defense that’s allowing the third-most points per game (26.5). Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is expected to take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, with the Panthers expected to make a run at Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in the offseason. A premium head coaching candidate could be tough to come by with the Panthers not having a first round pick in 2024, and Tepper now moving on to his third head coach in four seasons.

Garfolo added that he doesn’t get the sense Reich will be a one-and-done head coach for the Panthers. Hired to be the offensive mind behind rookie quarterback Bryce Young, Reich hasn’t been able to produce the results owner David Tepper is looking for, leading many to believe he will be fired by the end of the season. For now, Tepper and GM Scott Fitterer appear to be standing behind their head coach, though that could change before the end of the season.

Speaking on FOX NFL Sunday, Galzer said what we all know. If something doesn’t change on the field in Charlotte, changes will be made off the field. The Panthers are 1-8, don’t have their own first-round pick next year, and the player they sent that pick off to acquire, Bryce Young, is imploding as a rookie. Reich has already shown signs of desperation, passing off play-calling duties to OC Thomas Brown only to take them back from him after a few weeks. Young has made more than his fair share of mistakes, but the Panthers are pot-committed to him for a few years. Reich, though likely expensive to fire, is more expendable than Young. If Carolina’s offense doesn’t show signs of life soon Reich will be on his way out.

In October, Reich relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. At the time, the Panthers were ranked 23rd in both points per game (18.7) and yards per game (294.7). Since that time, Carolina has scored just two touchdowns in 30 drives with Brown calling plays. They now rank 29th with 17.0 points per game and 26th with 185.2 yards per game.

This is reportedly a decision made by Reich, who will now hand over duties to Brown heading into the Panthers’ bye week. Brown was hired by the Panthers earlier this offseason after previously serving as the Rams’ assistant head coach and tight ends coach. A young, highly-coveted play-caller, Brown will now be tasked with turning around an offense that’s ranked 23rd in both points per game (18.7) and yards per game (294.7). With an extra week to prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Texans, we’ll see if the Panthers can show any signs of life with Brown as the play-caller.