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Engstrand

Hooker spent time with the Panthers this season, but spent two seasons with the Lions after they drafted him in the 2023 NFL Draft’s third round. Jets OC Tanner Engstrand served as the Lions’ passing game coordinator from 2023-2024. Adding Hooker to the team’s practice squad makes sense.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Engstrand’s “anticipated departure from Detroit is complete.” He adds that “barring something unforeseen,” Engstrand will be named as Aaron Glenn’s offensive coordinator. Engstrand has worked with the Lions since 2020 and was named passing game coordinator in 2023. He has worked closely with former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and should have plenty to offer an offense that is hoping to improve on last year’s 24th-place finish in both points and yards per game. The Jets have a lot to figure out on offense as far as Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are concerned, but Engstrand should get a decent leash from Glenn, who is no stranger to the work that goes into turning a franchise around.

This news comes on the heels of learning that Rams pass game coordinator Nick Caley told the Jets he was not interested in the position. Engstrand has familiarity with head coach Aaron Glenn after the two have spent the last four seasons together in Detroit. Engstrand has worked as the Lions’ pass game coordinator since 2022 and presumably worked closely with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was hired as the Bears’ head coach earlier this month. We’re still waiting for official word on Engstrand’s hiring, but we’d expect something to finalized soon.

Heiden has just one season of offensive line coach experience under his belt, having coached the position for the Cardinals in 2018. He coached tight ends with the Cardinals (2019-2022) and Lions (2023-2024) after that. Heiden follows new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn from Detroit to the Big Apple. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes Lions pass game coordinator “Tanner Engstrand [is] the favorite to come aboard as” the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.

With the Lions hiring John Morton as offensive coordinator and bypassing Engstrand, it makes plenty of sense for him to explore his other options. Wilson adds “many league sources expressed confidence [Engstrand] will land the job.” The assumed favorite for Jets offensive coordinator appeared to be Nick Caley, but it’s possible that the Jets just never expected Engstrand to actually be available. This could escalate quickly as the league moves to fill offensive coordinator chairs, and Engstrand would obviously have a huge role as playcaller in New York with Aaron Glenn coming up on the defensive side of the ball.

With OC Ben Johnson remaining in Motown, the league is now trying to raid the rest of the staff. 41-year-old Engstrand had never coached at the NFL level before joining Dan Campbell’s staff in 2021. He was last an offensive coordinator in 2011-12 for the NCAA’s San Diego. It’s a similar experience level to new ‘Hawks coach Mike Macdonald, whom Engstrand has never coached with but likely knows through their mutual Harbaugh connections. It would be an intriguing hire.

While Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson may be returning to Detroit next season, he’s not the only offensive coach getting a look around the league. Engstrand has become a popular target thanks to his work with the team’s passing attack this year and also his work with rookie TE Sam LaPorta since Engstrand also serves as the tight end coach. He has been the Lions’ tight ends coach and pass game coordinator the past two seasons after spending three seasons as an offensive assistant with the team. He was an offensive analyst for Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan in 2018 and also interviewed for the Patriots’ offensive coordinator position last week.