Despite being fired as the Jets’ head coach in 2014, Rex Ryan wants to return to his former job under owner Woody Johnson.
Johnson fired Robert Saleh at the beginning of October after a 2-3 start to the season despite managing seven wins in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps before tearing his Achilles.
Ryan made his pitch on an ESPN New York radio show with ex-Jets linebacker Bart Scott, via ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. Ryan was originally asked about Lions head coach Dan Campbell before pivoting into a passionate pitch to return to his old job in New York.
“I had a vision for the team and we weren’t gonna take any s—,” Ryan said. “And that’s exactly how Dan Campbell is. And that’s what I think, the other thing is, too, get a guy that connects with the fan base and all that. That’s why I want to be the next coach of the Jets.”
From there, Ryan took off, promising that he would get the most out of the Jets’ roster and backing Johnson despite recent reports of the owner’s meddling in the team’s personnel decisions.
“Blow it up? We’re gonna blow the opponents up,” Ryan said. “There’s way too much talent on this team to play the way we’ve been playing. Period.”
Ryan isn’t wrong about the untapped potential in New York. Recently fired general manager Joe Douglas may have only led the Jets to a 30-64 record during his tenure, but he did hit on a number of high draft picks. Most impressive is the 2022 class, with the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year (Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner), a Pro Bowl edge rusher (Jermaine Johnson), a star running back (Breece Hall) and a Day 3 interior disruptor (Michael Clemons). 2023 draftees Will McDonald and Joe Tippmann have also emerged as solid starters.
Ryan also claimed that he can get a disillusioned Jets team back on track, saying “nobody’s seen a team gonna play the way — as hard as this team’s going to play in the future, trust me. If I’m the guy. Trust me.” Ryan also cited his continued loyalty to the Jets since his 2014 firing, saying that other coaches would not be as dedicated to the franchise.
“They ain’t New York Jets. I’m all about the Jets,” he said. “Here’s the great thing. Yeah, you get a second chance at it and that doesn’t happen very often. Well, when it does it’s usually special.”
Ryan then cleverly praised the Jets’ direction under Johnson’s ownership, appealing to his former boss’ penchant for relying on yes-men in key positions within the organization.
“Woody Johnson was awesome,” Ryan said. “I can just tell you firsthand from my perspective, he was fantastic. You know what he’s guilty of? He’s guilty of giving you what you want. And that’s exactly what happened with this group. He gave them exactly what they wanted.”
Ryan even defended Johnson’s role in the Jets’ ill-fated acquisition of Rodgers: “You told him to go get Aaron Rodgers. And so that’s what he did. And it never worked out. But at least he fired his gun. Why? Because he wants a championship.”
Ryan added that he has not reached out to Johnson about returning to the Jets since the franchise will not start the search for Saleh’s long-term successor until after the end of the regular season.
The Jets went 46-50 in Ryan’s six-year tenure, which included back-to-back AFC championship game appearances in 2009 and 2010. New York hasn’t played in the postseason since then, a fact that Ryan will likely use in his pursuit of his old gig.
His rules against wearing socks or shoes in the locker room creeps players out.
He’d love Mack Hollins. Guy goes everywhere barefoot
I didn’t know Rex was a masochist. Huh. It’s hard to tell when you’re watching a guy on TV.
It’s part of his foot fetish.
As a fan of another AFC East team, I fully support the Jets rehiring Rex.
Dude is just making a fool of himself by using ESPN to lobby for jobs.
His colleagues are not going to stand up to him and tell him the truth about his HC days.
The Jets are such a dumpster fire it’s hilarious
Rex Ryan is the ultimate self promoter. His ego is much bigger than his results
Aaron can self promote just asa good, but he has a ring (15 years ago though).
Less than capable egotists are trending.
Learned from his dad Buddy the Brain who was a horrible head coach. He had those Philly teams absolutely loaded and never even won one playoff game.
Rex took Mark Sanchez to the AFC title game twice, I think that speaks to his coaching ability!
Thanks Rex. As a Jets fan, I needed the laugh.
Please let this happen!…it would be so fun to watch
“nobody’s seen a team gonna play the way — as hard as this team’s going to play in the future, trust me. If I’m the guy. Trust me.”
Well, I certainly trust that Rex will find new exciting ways to perfect the “butt fumble” 🙂
Rex wants to coach again, Brett Favre wants to play again.
But seriously, when is Marvin Lewis going to be considered again? At least with him you were almost guaranteed to be at least mediocre. And the Jets need to be at least mediocre. He gets them to mediocre and a few draft picks later they’re winning their division. It could happen.
I’d take Rex back at least the jets had an identity in those days. Went into Foxboro and beat the pats with Mark Sanchez .. lol
Uh, no. Just no. He was a dinosaur 10 years ago.
Career losing record as an NFL head coach — didn’t last a second full season in Buffalo.
I don’t know how Rex is even on TV. He’s just another ESPN blowhard that shoots his mouth off. This is why I never watch their pre/post game coverage. That and if you look directly at Rex’s teeth you’ll go blind from all the bleach. As funny as it would be to watch the Jets sink with Rex I have to pass to not have to listen to him every week because NY teams get heavy coverage
To be fair, being a “blowhard” will get you on TV every time… that’s why ESPN hired him. He’s actually ideal for that role more so than managing another locker room. I don’t think he gets an NFL gig ever again, and he probably knows that. Which is why he’s blowing his own horn now for the attention. But that’s all it’s going to get.
I had to double check that I was reading PFR and not The Onion
If I was a Jets fan, I might want to take a shot on an offensive minded guy.
Maybe try and implement a Kyle Shanahan type offense.
Its a risk for sure, but I think you gotta they something new.
lol
Jokes about Rex’s personality aside, the football concern that I would have is the construction of that defense. It’s built basically the opposite of Rex’s old 3-4 based zone blitz style groups. Since firing Saleh, they’ve been horrendous, but the personnel are perfect for the 4 man front system that they’ve been running.
Rex might hype up the locker room and instill some team spirit, but we saw what happens when Rex inherits a great 4 man front and tries to change it. We know that such a transition would take time, but in Buffalo, there was never a good reason to tear it all down to build it again in Rex’s image. The same thing happened in Dallas with Mike Nolan when McCarthy was first hired. Obviously, it didn’t end up working.
To make this circus complete the Jets would have to hire Hue Jackson to run the offense.
He made a great Bills defense worse for just that reason.
That didn’t stop the bluster and self promotion. He didn’t care.
He also pushed to draft guys like Shaw Lawson – who immediately said after being drafted was surprised he was picked because he didn’t feel like he was a fit in a 3-4.
Rex’s ego is bigger than it deserves to be. I think he takes too much credit for that Ravens ring.
If he was as good as he says he is, he’ll have learned from that mistake and work with what he has.
Agreed with y’all, and I think what Roguesaw said is my concern with him going forward. Whatever attitude he brings to the team, he needs to deliver on the field. Adapting to his team, instead of making the team adapt to him, is the whole reason one would want to go to a loaded roster in the first place. He ruined the Schwartz defense, which was totally unnecessary.
First, all the Jets supposed talent is media driven narrative. They have little actual talent. Second, please hire that buffoon Ryan so we can watch him fail miserably again. Come on Jets, keep Jets-ing and do it.
Hey Rex, I remember when you and then Jets’ GM, Mike Tannenbaum, “fired your guns” on the acquisition of Tim Tebow in 2012 and then proceeded to show us that you had NO clue how to utilize him in the offense.
Bart Scott: Let’s talk about the Lions.
Rex Ryan: No let’s talk about me coaching the Jets again.
“CANT WAIT!”