With Sean Payton in place in Denver, attention is turning to the assistants brought in to comprise his first Broncos staff. A notable name has been added to the list of candidates to lead the team’s defense. 
Rex Ryan interviewed recently for Denver’s defensive coordinator position, per Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer (Twitter link). The news puts him on the radar for what would be his first coaching role in seven years. Ryan has most recently served as a broadcaster with ESPN.
The 60-year-old started his NFL coaching career in Baltimore, spending six seasons there before being promoted to defensive coordinator. He held that post for four years, establishing himself as one of the league’s top defensive minds and earning head coaching interest along the way. He was hired to lead the Jets in 2009, and had an encouraging start to his tenure in the Big Apple. The Jets made two straight AFC championship game appearances, and Ryan had a 28-20 record after the 2011 campaign. Things took a turn for the worse as time went on, though, and he was fired after the 2014 season.
Ryan immediately followed that up with a tenure as the Bill’s HC lasting less than two seasons. He was let go after Week 16 in 2016, and has not taken a coaching job at any level since. His name as popped up as a potential DC candidate a few times over the years, including Kansas City in 2019. Ryan and Payton have not worked together in their respective careers, though the latter has spent considerable time working with Rob Ryan in New Orleans.
Broncos brass made it clear they wanted Payton to keep DC Ejiro Evero, who impressed in his first season with the team last year. However, he was let out of his contract and allowed to head elsewhere, quickly landing in Carolina. The Denver position is one which is appealing, given the presence of several high-end players the unit boasts. Ryan is joined by Brian Flores – who took the DC job in Minnesota – and Sean Desai as known candidates for the position in Denver.
Troy Renck of Denver7 reports that Payton spent time yesterday interviewing candidates for the team’s special teams coordinator vacancy (Twitter link). As the coaching cycle winds down, the Broncos’ staff should become clearer in the near future.
Good DC option as long as there’s a stipulation he cannot hire his brother.
It always amazed me that someone could be an NFL coach yet retain as much hair as Rob Ryan.
Something is afoot. Denver needs time to heel from this past season. Rex isn’t the guy to instill heart and sole into a pro defense anymore. Anyway, hopefully DEN puts their best foot forward to make the right hire.
On the contrary, I don’t think Rex has somehow lost the knack when it comes to communicating with modern players, nor is he suffering from amnesia where defensive strategies are concerned
I considered the hiring of Saturday to be an odd move by Indy, hiring a former player who had never coached. But I tend to believe that hiring Rex would make the Denver defense much more formidable.
Agree, cornwhisperer – I was just trying to make feet puns 🙂
sexy Rexy
if he’s interested in being a DC everyone should be signed up
Game passed him by….let him just do his tv thing and enjoy feet.
I’d be very excited to have Rex back in the NFL. I really hope this happens!!
A good DC yes, Head coach no. Lacks in time management big time which destroys teams
he made the playoffs with not only the Jets but with Mark Sanchez at qb
guy should be in the HOF for that alone.
Does he still have the tatttoo of his wife in a Mark Sanchez jersey?
Rex went on ‘Tattoo Nightmares’ and had that tattoo modified to celebrate the greatest moment of his NYJ tenure…The Butt Fumble
Won’t it warm the heart of the New York City tabloids if Ryan was back in the league!
Coincidentally, scheduling for next season has Denver hosting the Jets and visiting Buffalo.
Two toes up!