Reuniting with Rex Ryan feels so right but it would be the wrong move for the Jets
This is a part of a weekly series where I take a look at potential coaching hires for the New York Jets for the 2025 season. The 2024 New York Jets season will go down as one of the biggest failures in sports history. From the hype to the talent to ultimately, the embarrassment. The […]
This is a part of a weekly series where I take a look at potential coaching hires for the New York Jets for the 2025 season.
The 2024 New York Jets season will go down as one of the biggest failures in sports history. From the hype to the talent to ultimately, the embarrassment. The Jets began to spiral early in the season, and Woody Johnson fired then head coach Robert Saleh and promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to the top spot in hopes of generating a spark for the team. That spark did not come.
So, with the Jets all but set for a rebuild and a new regime taking over, I thought I could spend the second half of the season looking at potential coaching candidates for gang green in 2025. It’s not like there will be plenty of good football to discuss on these pages.
So, with that in mind let’s get to our first candidate: Rex Ryan.
When the Jets got rid of Bob Saleh, I wrote a piece showcasing some of the names I thought the Jets would seek out when the inevitably got to their coaching search, and Rex Ryan’s name was not on the list. But in an appearance with on the “DiPietro and Rothenberg Show” on ESPN New York, Ryan was asked if he would take the job if he was called.
“Oh, I’d do it in a second because I am a New York Jet. I absolutely would,” Ryan responded. “I’m not here to politic, and it seems like it because I tell the truth and I speak as a fan of this football team and this community. That’s why it makes sense. So, yeah, we’ll see. I hope I get an opportunity to interview for it. That’s absolutely a given. I hope I get that opportunity.”
Ryan was the Jets’ head coach from 2009-14. He compiled a 46-50 record and was fired after a 4-12 finish in 2014. However, the Jets finished at least .500 in four of Ryan’s six seasons. The highlights were his first two years when the Jets reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games after four upset victories on the road. The Jets’ shocking 28-21 victory over the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional remains their last playoff victory, and 2010 was their last postseason appearance.
Cards on the table here, I am a Rex Ryan guy. I always believed that Rex was a much better coach and leader of men then he got credit for. He was saddled with some bad players later in his Jets tenure and was never able to find the right offensive coach to work with. Rex had his inadequacies, but I think a lot of them came from player selection rather than ability.
Given how outspoken he is, it would not be surprising if Ryan more forcefully campaigns as the season progresses. He lambasted the Jets’ coaching staff and chastised the players for their lack of pride in the organization. If I had to choose one reason for the Jets to hire Rex Ryan it would be that. He cares about the New York Jets. Just look at the reason he said he would want the job: “because I am a New York Jet”. I don’t think there's another coach the Jets will interview for this position that will care more about the organization than he does. That matters.
A Rex Ryan defense is never going to be outmatched. It will never be steam rolled, and it won’t be bullied. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but it will be on the attack. A Rex Ryan team will go to battle for their coaches and their teammates every week. Some of you may remember when the Jets gave Rex a Gatorade bath after what would be his final game as head coach of the New York Jets, a game they won 37-24. The win was only their fourth of the year, but the players loved and respected him so much, they gave him a Gatorade bath for the victory.
Now, as much as I love Rex and would be excited to see him back with the Jets, that doesn’t mean it’s the right move. For starters, Rex would have to have an offensive coordinator that was smart and creative enough to not only bring the Jets O up to standard, but they'd have to develop a young quarterback while also being a strong enough personality to challenge Rex’s defense-first mentality. Essentially, you would need a ying to Rex’s yang. This would have to be a true partnership. Two halves of the same brain. I don’t know if that person exists, nor that he would want the Jets job if he did.
Second, Rex could have no control over personnel. He is a coach and not a GM. The moment Rex starts falling in love with players in the draft you wind up with Quinton Coples and Kyle Wilson. With Rex choosing players you pass on second round wide receivers like Alshon Jeffrey for Stephen Hill because he is better at run-blocking (true story). Yuck.
Lastly, while I would be excited to see what Rex Ryan could do with Sauce Gardner, the Jets are not built for a Rex Ryan 3-4 defense. Quinnen Williams would likely move to the defensive end and be out of position. Remember how Leonard Williams was a fish out of water in that system before he got moved inside when he went to the Giants? Same thing. Will McDonald is not a stand-up linebacker and needs to play with his hand in the dirt. It would be a long time before the players matched the system.
In the end, while I believe Rex will push hard for the job, and it might be the wrong move to turn down someone with that much love and passion for the job, I don’t think it’s the move the Jets need to make at this point. But if they do, I’ll have my sweater vest on immediately.
The future for multiple Jets players could change in less than a week’s time
Look, none of us wanted to be here. We had big plans on a fantastic season. We went “all in” on the 2024 Jets and it is not going the way we wanted. But at some point, you may need to take a good long hard look in the mirror and accept what you are. […]
