Jets Make Second Coaching Change on Offense

Shawn Jefferson reportedly returning to the organization as new receivers coach

The New York Jets continue to tweak their offensive coaching staff. After reportedly making a change at running backs coach, the team is also putting a new receivers coach in place.

According to CBS Sports personality Josina Anderson, the Jets are hiring Shawn Jefferson as the "new WRs coach and he starts Monday." It's unclear about what that news means for Zach Azzanni, who served as New York's receivers coach in 2023.

Jefferson carries significant NFL experience dating back to his playing days. After 13 years and 195 regular season games as a pro receiver, he joined the coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for the Detroit Lions in 2006. Promoted to receivers coach in 2008, Jefferson spent seven total seasons in Detroit.

No stranger to the Jets' organization, the 54-year-old Jefferson spent two seasons in Florham Park under former head coach Adam Gase. He was assistant head coach and receivers coach in 2019 and 2020. After back-to-back seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Jefferson spent 2023 with the Carolina Panthers.

Outside of top target Garrett Wilson, the Jets' receiving corps underproduced during the 2023 campaign. Free agent addition Allen Lazard was the team's second-leading wide receiver with 311 yards on 23 catches. Lazard secured fewer than 47 percent of targets. Undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson was third amongst Jets' wide receivers with 21 receptions for 229 yards.

Although head coach Robert Saleh said not to expect any major offseason changes to the coaching staff, the Jets have already moved on from two offensive position coaches. Multiple reports have Tony Dews replacing Taylor Embree as New York's running backs coach. 

As a unit, the Jets' offense ranked next to last on the NFL team leaderboard this past season. Only the Panthers (265.3) trailed by the Jets (268.6) in total offense.

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