The New York Jets have a coaching vacancy that will need to be filled this coming off-season. Former Jets HC Rex Ryan has come out publicly stating how he would be very interested in taking over the Jets team once more. Ryan would state, “I’d do it in a second because I am a New York Jet.” Ryan would later go on about how much he would love to at least get the opportunity to interview for the vacant coaching position.
How The Jets Have Struggled Since Ryan Was Fired
The Jets are tied for first with the longest playoff drought in all of major sports, at 13 seasons. Notably, the last time the Jets went to the playoffs Ryan was at the helm. Since his firing, the Jets have gone through head coaches and quarterbacks at a rapid rate. Starting with now Buccaneers head coach, Todd Bowles. Then to Adam Gase, Robert Saleh and now interim HC Jeff Ulbrich.
The list of Jets quarterbacks isn’t much better with names like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson being the highlights. Before trading for future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers that is. It’s safe to say that the Jets have been the laughingstock of the AFC ever since Ryan was relieved of duty back in 2014. Not to say, he was successful in ever season, but the team at least had more fight and aggressiveness to it back then.
Ryan’s Tenure with The New York Jets
Rex Ryan enjoyed immediate success taking over the Jets head position back in 2009. With USC quarterback Mark Sanchez leading the way, Ryan would bring the Jets to the AFC Championship game in back-to-back years to start his head coaching career. After falling one game short of the Super Bowl two years in a row, the Jets would fail to make the playoffs again after 2010.
Ryan would go on to coach the Jets another four seasons accumulating a record of46-60 before being fired. After his dismissal, Ryan would take on the head coaching job of division-rival Buffalo Bills for two seasons. The Bills had some level of success in Ryan’s first year in Buffalo, but in the second season Ryan would work his magic and make Tyrod Taylor look like a legit starting QB in the NFL. The Bills would end their 17-year-long playoff drought before losing to the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round in overtime. This would be Ryan’s final game as an NFL head coach.
Why Ryan Could Be Exactly What the Jets Need
It was strange seeing Ryan fired from the Buffalo Bills after ending a 17-year playoff drought. He posted a record of 15-16, which believe it or not was the highest win percentage of a coach in Buffalo since Wade Phillips was their head coach from 1998-2000. Even stranger was the fact he was never given another opportunity at a head coaching position again.
The Jets are in need of a culture change. Aaron Rodgers has talked about this multiple times since joining the team and trying to bring his “winning is expected” mindset with him from Green Bay. Newly acquired Davante Adams even mentioned he noticed the lack of fire in the team in his short time there.
Enter, Rex Ryan. Ryan has the ability to be one of the most aggressive coaches, especially on the defensive side of the ball. More importantly, he is a culture builder. There would be a clear standard for the Jets moving forward if Woody Johnson wanted to give Ryan a second chance at the job and finish what he started in 2009. This roster is clearly more talented than any roster Ryan coached previously, highlighted with future hall-of-famers, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Hiring a coach like Rex Ryan could be exactly what Rodgers and the Jets need to build a winning football team next season.
For All NFL And College Football Content:
Follow me on X (formerly known as twitter) at @MikeMatkin97. Also, don’t forget to follow us for more great football content from Gridiron Heroics. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of the NFL.
