The Jets are hiring Frank Reich to be the new OC, according to multiple reports. The longtime NFL backup QB -- and orchestrator of (arguably?) the greatest playoff comeback victory of all time in Buffalo -- has spent 10 years as OC or head coach to this point. He coordinated the Chargers offense in 2014-15 before jumping to the same position in Philadelphia on HC Doug Pederson's staff. Then came a five-year run as the head man in Indianapolis before a rocky (and incomplete) season in charge of the Panthers.
Jets HC Aaron Glenn: "Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure. He's lived this game from every angle -- as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who's led offenses at the highest level. He is unique in his ability to see the game for what it is right now and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands offense and how to utilize the strengths of players. I am looking forward to how he will help this team have success."
Let's dig into Reich's history before we discuss the biggest challenge of his new gig.
The 10 offenses Reich has piloted as OC or HC have ranged in production. The first three each finished 16th or worse in scoring, though his 2015 Chargers oddly paired a No. 26 ranking in points with a No. 9 finish in total yards.
After that, four of Reich's next five offenses checked in ninth or better in scoring and among the league's top half in yards. His final Indy squad dipped to 27th in yards and 30th in points in 2022, but that came with QB Matt Ryan arriving to prove he was done as an NFL starter and RB Jonathan Taylor missing six games.
Reich's Panthers combined a terrible trade up for QB Bryce Young with a bad roster and rudderless plan to end the coach's stint after just 11 games.
Reich's Chargers stint is tough to judge. He inherited a fine unit with entrenched QB Philip Rivers (age-33 and -34 seasons) and a weak backfield. Both those offenses leaned pass and included:
Reich's Philly stop coincided with QB Carson Wentz's first two seasons, the second of which found the Eagles winning the Super Bowl.
That group ranked third in scoring and seventh in yards with ...
Reich's Colts run opened with a heavy pass lean in what would be Andrew Luck's final season.
Indy admirably navigated 2020 after Luck's surprise retirement just before the season, then applied familiar Band Aids over the next few seasons (Rivers and Wentz before the Ryan bomb).
That span also included Jonathan Taylor's arrival and quick ascension to offensive driver.
Honestly, I have no idea. And neither do you. And neither do they ... yet.
The 2026 Jets need to figure out their QB and seem likely to let RB Breece Hall depart in free agency.
That would leave WR Garrett Wilson and not a whole lot else in the talent cupboard. (TE Mason Taylor might be good.) The O-line's in better shape, at least, including a first-round OT from each of the past two drafts.
So although the OC's (obviously) important to offensive planning and success, we're gonna need to see who Reich will actually coach before we can project his impact.
At least his arrival affords one more chance for a Rivers revival ...
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