Rex Ryan is making waves once again as he prepares for his interview to reclaim the head coach position of the New York Jets, the team he once led to playoff glory.
After being absent from coaching since 2016, when he was fired from the Buffalo Bills, Ryan has publicly expressed his desire to return to the Jets, the same franchise he guided to multiple playoff appearances during his tenure from 2009 to 2014. According to NFL Network, the Jets have formally scheduled Ryan's interview for Tuesday, signaling their interest amid the turmoil surrounding the team.
What sets this interview apart from the norm is not just Ryan’s past as the last coach to lead the Jets to the playoffs; it's also the explicit nature of his recent comments on the team's current star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. While discussing Rodgers’ future on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, Ryan was unequivocal when he stated, "No," when asked if he would want Rodgers back with the Jets.
Ryan elaborated on his stance, highlighting the quarterback's perceived lack of commitment this past season. "I think you can let a guy walk out the door when he’s not committed to the team. Well, you can’t tell me that's hasn’t been the case," Ryan said, referencing Rodgers' absence during mandatory mini-camp. This bold assertion raised some eyebrows, considering Ryan is angling to coach the same player he critiques.
This dynamic is particularly complex. The Jets completed their disappointing season with a 4-12 record and ended it without having confirmed plans for Rodgers's future—he himself expressed uncertainty about his next steps following the Jets' last game. “Truthfully I don’t know. I’m looking forward to those conversations with Woody and Christopher [Johnson],” Rodgers said post-game.
Ryan's past with the Jets gives him unique insights; he was the last coach to win multiple playoff games for the franchise and has maintained close ties with Jets owner Woody Johnson. Johnson has brought in outside consultants to assist with the coaching search, yet Ryan’s public campaigning for the job has kept his name relevant. He reflected, "There's way too much talent on this team to play the way we've been playing. Period."
Critics argue, though, whether Ryan is truly the right fit for the beleaguered franchise. The NFL is decidedly different from when Ryan last coached, and he hasn't held any coaching role since 2016, leading some to question if he could successfully manage the current roster dynamics—especially if it includes Rodgers, who struggled significantly during the last season even as he posted some of the best passing statistics for Jets quarterbacks.
With the wild nature of the NFL's coaching carousel, Ryan isn't the only name being tossed around for the Jets' head coaching vacancy. Other candidates include former players turned coaches like Aaron Glenn and Brian Flores, as well as established coordinators such as Kliff Kingsbury and Ben Johnson. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich is also expected to formally interview for the permanent position.
For the Jets, who have struggled with incompetence for almost a decade, the decision on who to lead them forward is monumental. Is Ryan the kind of brash personality required to inspire the current roster? Or will the franchise need to look elsewhere to break free from its disappointing history?
One thing is for certain: as Ryan steps back onto the NFL stage, the eyes of the league will be on the Jets. Will the team finally emerge from its revolving door of head coaches, or will they spiral downwards yet again? The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for both the Jets franchise and its beleaguered quarterback.