A new name has emerged for the New York Jets.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter announced on social media that the Jets will interview Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells on Wednesday, January 28, for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Schefter revealed that this is Wells’ third OC interview this cycle. He also spoke with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Commanders.
More Info on Jets Latest Scheduled Interview
Wells, 42, has been coaching football since 2006. Over those 20 years, he has coached at the high school, college, and NFL levels.
Wells has exclusively coached at the NFL level since 2012.
He started off with the New York Giants in 2012 as an offensive quality control coach. For the next five years, he became the assistant offensive line coach for the Giants. In 2018-19, he became the tight ends coach for Big Blue.
Then, in 2020, he stayed inside the NFC East but jumped over to the Cowboys. Over the last six seasons, he has been the Cowboys’ TEs coach.
Top Social Media Reactions to Wells – Jets Interview
“Lunda Wells has done a great job of developing TEs in Dallas and is one of the most respected coaches in the league. He’s also helped with the run game in previous seasons. And players really love him. Certainly deserves a look for an OC spot,” Cowboys analyst Marcus Mosher posted.
Lunda Well served as the head coach of the “West team” at the annual Shrine Bowl this past week.
“The biggest thing doing the head coaching part is organizing the scheduling, making sure the day flows smoothly, make sure the practice flows smoothly,” Wells told ESPN’s Todd Archer. “Outside of that, when you get between the white lines, it’s no different than me coaching the tight ends. It’s just football.”
Read up on @calvinwatkins‘ observations here: t.co/WeqNCqvY0J
And see @SmileyPool‘s Shrine Bowl photos here: t.co/KJnJqgRVM4
Cowboys Tight Ends Have Incredibly Productive
Wells has done excellent work with the Cowboys’ tight ends.
He has developed Jake Ferguson into one of the elite talents at the TE position in the NFL.
Ferguson, 27, entered the league as the No. 129 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
The former Wisconsin product has recorded 231 receptions for 2,029 receiving yards and has scored 15 touchdowns.
Ferguson is a two-time Pro Bowler and is coming off a career season in receptions (82) and touchdowns (eight).
Rooney Rule Comes Into Effect for the Jets
The Jets are seeking a new offensive coordinator because they fired Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday, January 27.
Initially the Jets were hoping to keep Engstrand on the staff in a lesser role and replace him as a play-caller with a veteran name.
Had the Jets gone down that road, they would have only had to interview one “diverse candidate” to fufill the Rooney Rule.
With Engstrand out the door, the Jets now must speak with “at least two minorities and/or women” for their now vacant OC job.
The original plan was for the team to keep Tanner Engstrand as the OC, but to hire a senior person to call the plays.
In that specific case, NYJ would have only had to
The Jets have kept much of their search hush-hush, but this could delay the hiring process if they have already identified someone for the gig.
They must go through the proper protocol before hiring anyone for a coordinator role. That is true for both the offensive and defensive cooridator jobs.
Jets Set to Interview Cowboys Coach for OC Role: Report