Any list of Detroit Lions assistant coaches who might follow Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets naturally leaned toward defensive names, with quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell initially mentioned as a candidate for offensive coordinator.

However, Glenn is reportedly shifting focus to another offensive assistant from the Lions.

According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson, the Jets are in “substantive discussions” with Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand for their offensive coordinator role.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC added that his sources “expressed confidence” Engstrand “will land the job.”

While Engstrand was a late addition to the pool of candidates (which includes Brunell, Rams tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Nick Caley, and Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner), he has now emerged as the favorite for the position.

Engstrand has been with the Lions since 2020, advancing from offensive assistant to offensive quality control coach (2021), to tight ends coach/passing game coordinator (2022), and ultimately to passing game coordinator for the past two seasons.

Engstrand was seen as a top candidate to become Ben Johnson’s offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears or to replace Johnson as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.

However, Johnson has hired an offensive coordinator elsewhere, and the Lions instead brought in John Morton to take over as their offensive coordinator.

Engstrand’s coaching career is impressive for someone his age (42).

He began as a graduate assistant at the University of San Diego in 2005 and stayed there through 2017, spending his last five years as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach.

In 2018, he reunited with Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan, then worked as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the DC Defenders in the 2020 iteration of the XFL before joining the Lions.

Glenn’s interest in Engstrand isn’t surprising, though it initially seemed unlikely the Jets (or wherever Glenn landed as head coach) would be his most prominent option.

With those other opportunities now off the table, Glenn appears to be making a strong push to secure Engstrand as his offensive coordinator.