Tag: Jets

Detroit Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand watches practice at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.

Jets keep poaching Lions, hire Tanner Engstrand as OC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets announced the hiring of Tanner Engstrand as their next offensive coordinator on Friday, continuing to raid the Detroit Lions’ cupboard in the process.

Engstrand, 42, was on the Lions’ staff since 2020 and served as their passing game coordinator for the past three seasons.

He follows Aaron Glenn to New York after the Jets tapped Glenn, formerly Detroit’s defensive coordinator, as their new head coach. The Jets also recently hired ex-Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden to be their offensive line coach.

Engstrand helped Jared Goff and the Lions rank No. 1 in the NFL in scoring offense (33.2 points per game), No. 2 in total offense (409.5 yards per game) and No. 2 in passing offense (263.2 ypg) this past season.

Engstrand has yet to serve as an offensive coordinator in the NFL, but he did so at the University of San Diego from 2011-17. He played quarterback at Grossmont College and San Diego State.

Engstrand was a San Diego State teammate of new Jets general manager Darren Mougey, also a quarterback, in 2004. Current Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was the starting quarterback.

The Jets have a major decision to make with their own quarterback, as 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers expressed during last season that if he were to continue playing in 2025, he’d want it to be for New York.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers interm head coach Steve Wilks during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets hiring Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Steve Wilks has agreed to terms to be the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator under new head coach Aaron Glenn, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night.

Wilks, 55, did not coach in the NFL in 2024 after one season as DC in San Francisco. The 49ers fired him after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

He was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, lasting one season and going 3-13. Wilks was also interim head coach with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 and was 6-6.

A defensive assistant in the NFL from 2005-17 with Washington, Chicago, San Diego and Carolina, Wilks served as defensive coordinator with the Panthers in 2017 and Cleveland Browns in 2019.

He also was the defensive coordinator at Missouri in 2021, resuming a college coaching career that ran from 1995-2004.

Glenn said at his introductory press conference on Monday that he wasn’t planning to call defensive plays. He was the Detroit Lions’ DC from 2021-24.

“I want to be the best head coach you can find,” said Glenn, who was the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021 through this season. “In order for me to do that, I think I need to manage the game.”

Also Wednesday night, NFL Network reported Glenn hired Steve Heiden as his offensive line coach. Heiden worked with Glenn in Detroit, coaching the tight ends. And Glenn is reportedly set to hire Chris Banjo as special teams coordinator. Banjo was assistant special teams coach for the Denver Broncos this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Steve Wilks, Chris Harris interview for Jets’ DC post

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The New York Jets are interviewing Steve Wilks and Chris Harris on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator position, multiple media outlets reported.

New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said he will not be the team’s defensive play caller.

Wilks, 55, previously served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was fired shortly after the Niners lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

He also sports a 9-19 record as a head coach with the Arizona Cardinals (2018) and Carolina Panthers (2022), which came as the interim. He’s also been a defensive coordinator with the Panthers in 2017 and Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Harris, 42, was the cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2024, but his contract expired at the end of the season. The team announced he would not return.

Harris had 16 career interceptions in 101 games (88 starts) in eight seasons with four teams, last playing in 2012. He was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2005 draft.

Wilks is the favorite to land the job, according to multiple reports.

Glenn was introduced as the Jets’ head coach on Monday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field with wide receiver Davante Adams (17) after the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets decide on Darren Mougey as new GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets are hiring Darren Mougey as their new general manager, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Mougey, 39, has been with the Denver Broncos’ organization since 2012 and was assistant general manager the past three seasons. He is the NFL’s third youngest GM.

Mougey’s hiring comes in the same week the Jets hired Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. New York just finished a 5-12 season in which they missed the playoffs for the 14th straight season.

Mougey will face a tough decision right at the outset of his tenure — deciding whether to retain or part ways with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Mougey knows the quarterback position well. He was a promising quarterback recruit as part of San Diego State’s 2004 class, redshirted his first season and backed up Kevin O’Connell — now head coach of the Minnesota Vikings — the next two seasons.

He spent the final two seasons (2007-08) of his college career as a receiver.

Mougey joined the Broncos as a scouting intern in 2012 and advanced up the organization until landing the assistant GM job.

The Jets interviewed 15 general manager candidates during their search.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn paces the sidelines during their against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Report: Aaron Glenn to have second Jets interview

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The New York Jets will have a second, in-person interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, NFL Network reported Monday.

Glenn, 52, conducted a virtual interview with the Jets regarding their head coaching vacancy on Jan. 9. He is also expected to meet in person with the New Orleans Saints.

Glenn’s season ended Saturday when the top-seeded Lions lost 45-31 to the visiting Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional playoff game.

Glenn was a first-round pick (12th overall) by the Jets in 1994. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

He has been Detroit’s defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Jets interview Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. for HC job

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The New York Jets completed their 16th interview for their head coaching vacancy on Sunday, getting to know Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Whitt was one day removed from guiding his unit to a strong playoff performance against the Detroit Lions. The Commanders intercepted Jared Goff three times and forced him to lose a fumble in a 45-31 victory that advanced Washington to the NFC Championship Game.

Whitt, 46, played wide receiver at Auburn and began his coaching career there as a student assistant. His first job on the defensive side of the ball was as Louisville’s cornerbacks coach from 2003-06, after which he graduated to the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

Whitt worked in various roles for the Green Bay Packers (2008-18), the Cleveland Browns (2019), another stint with Atlanta (2020) and the Dallas Cowboys (2021-23), primarily working with the secondary and coordinating pass defense. This was his first season in Washington and his first year as a defensive coordinator.

It also marks Whitt’s first interview for a head coaching job.

New York’s other interviews have included 10 candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience, counting its own interim coach Jeff Ulbrich and New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi. Ulbrich has since joined Atlanta as its new defensive coordinator, and another interviewee, Mike Vrabel, was hired as the New England Patriots’ head coach.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets’ search heats up with interview requests

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets requested interviews with at least a half-dozen coordinators and other assistants as their coaching search intensified Monday, per multiple reports.

Offensive coordinators Arthur Smith (Steelers), Bobby Slowik (Texans) and Joe Brady (Bills), defensive coordinators Aaron Glenn (Lions) and Vance Joseph (Broncos), and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (49ers) were candidates named in multiple reports.

The Jets (5-12) fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

In addition, the Jets reportedly completed first interviews with former two-time head coach Ron Rivera and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Smith, 42, is in his first season with Pittsburgh after posting three consecutive 7-10 seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23.

Smith’s Steelers, who will visit the Baltimore Ravens for a wild-card game on Saturday night, finished the regular season ranked 16th in scoring (22.4 points per game) and 23rd in total offense (319.4 yards per game).

Slowik, 37, is in his second season with the Texans after working as an assistant for the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan from 2017-22. The Texans were 19th in scoring (21.9) and 22nd in total offense (319.7).

Brady, 35, joined the Buffalo staff in 2022 and is in his first full season as the offensive coordinator. The Bills ranked second in scoring (30.9) and 10th in total offense (359.1).

Glenn, 52, has been the Lions’ DC since 2021. Detroit finished seventh in the league this season in scoring defense (20.1) and 20th in total defense (342.4).

Joseph, 52, compiled an 11-21 record in two seasons as head coach of the Broncos from 2017-18. In his second season as head coach Sean Payton’s DC in 2024, Denver finished third in scoring defense (18.3) and seventh in total defense (317.1).

Griese, 49, just finished his third season coaching the San Francisco quarterbacks. He was a QB in the league for 11 seasons with four teams from 1998-2008, earning one Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) gains yards after catch as Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) pursues during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers throws four TDs as Jets beat Dolphins

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In what might have been the final game of his Hall of Fame career, Aaron Rodgers threw a season-high four touchdown passes and reached a career milestone while leading the host New York Jets to a 32-20 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Rodgers completed 23 of 36 passes for 274 yards, threw an interception and finished with a 112.5 passer rating as the Jets (5-12) played spoiler against their longtime AFC East rivals. Even before the time expired, Miami (8-9) was eliminated from playoff contention once the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas Chiefs to clinch the AFC’s final wild-card berth.

The Dolphins missed the postseason after making it each of the past two seasons.

Rodgers’ first touchdown pass on Sunday was the 500th of his career. He tossed a 5-yarder to Tyler Conklin with 7:57 left in the second quarter to put the Jets ahead 7-6.

Rodgers became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach the 500 touchdown pass mark, joining Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508).

Rodgers would follow that with touchdown passes to two of his former Green Bay teammates — Allen Lazard and Davante Adams. The latter was a 4-yard connection to Adams in the back of the end zone with 10:24 left in the fourth quarter to put the Jets ahead 23-15.

Tyler Huntley started at quarterback for the Dolphins for the second consecutive week as Tua Tagovailoa sat out again with a hip injury. Huntley’s fifth start in relief of Tagovailoa didn’t go nearly as well as last week’s win at Cleveland, however, as he threw a pair of costly interceptions and lost a fumble. The Jets’ defense forced four turnovers overall.

Huntley completed 25 of 41 passes for 227 yards and found Jonnu Smith for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 5:21 to go to cut New York’s lead to 25-20. It was Smith’s eighth touchdown catch of the season, setting a new franchise record for a tight end. De’Von Achane ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The Jets sealed the outcome on Rodgers’ final touchdown toss — a 6-yarder to Breece Hall with 2:30 left.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing his 500th touchdown pass during the second quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers reaches 500-TD milestone

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers became the fifth player to throw 500 career touchdown passes when he connected with Tyler Conklin on a 5-yard scoring pass in the second quarter of New York’s season-ending contest against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The milestone touchdown throw comes in what could be the final game of Rodgers’ 20-year NFL career.

Rodgers joins Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) in the exclusive club.

Conklin, a tight end, found a crease in the end zone and was wide open when Rodgers connected with him with 7:57 left in the second quarter. Rodgers joined his celebrating teammates in the end zone and Conklin gave him the ball.

Rodgers threw No. 501 later in the second quarter when he hit wide receiver Allen Lazard on a 13-yard touchdown pass for a 15-6 lead on the Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J.

The 41-year-old Rodgers tossed 475 touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers and the rest have come with the Jets.

Rodgers’ future is a huge topic. He has said he is unsure if he will play a 21st season, while indicating it probably won’t be with the Jets if he decides to play in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts front field after theme against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) doubtful to play against Jets

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and considered highly unlikely to play.

This will be the second straight start Tagovailoa will miss. Tyler Huntley is slated to start the contest.

“We’ll approach it like Snoop’s starting,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, referencing Huntley by his nickname. “It looks like the way that I approached the week (before) was probably smart. I see it as unlikely that Tua will see any action.”

The Dolphins (8-8) need a win to have any chance of making the playoffs, but McDaniel doesn’t feel the injury is something Tagovailoa can play through.

“A bruise would be like pain tolerance,” McDaniel said. “That’s something that I think Tua wishes it was just a pain issue. It’s quite literally being able to have the strength to do what we ask him to do, as well as protecting himself from very serious injury if we don’t treat it appropriately. I wouldn’t say it’s a bruise, but it’s a unique muscle issue as a result of the hip.”

Tagovailoa told reporters on Friday that he is frustrated to be dealing with an injury while the team’s playoffs hopes are on the line.

He told reporters that he would definitely play if the Dolphins have a playoff game next week. Miami must beat the Jets and have the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Dolphins to make the postseason field.

“If the cards play out the way they should, and the way we know and think they can, I’m going to be available next week,” Tagovailoa said. “There’s no ifs, ands, or buts. I’ll be playing for sure.”

Tagovaiola missed four games earlier in the season due to a concussion but has played well when healthy by passing for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. He has completed a league-leading 72.9 percent of his passes.

Sunday would mark Huntley’s fifth start of the season. He has passed for 602 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while going 2-2 as the starter. He has also rushed for two scores.

Miami linebacker Anthony Walker (knee) will miss the contest. Receivers Tyreek Hill (wrist/illness), Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (finger) are questionable, as are left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (neck) and safety Jevon Holland (wrist).

Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) will miss the contest.

–Field Level Media