The NFL is full of surprises.
Longtime NFL columnist Gary Myers revealed on social media that popular former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan could be in the mix for a prominent position on John Harbaugh’s new staff with the New York Giants.
“I know this might sound crazy, but don’t discount Rex Ryan being considered to be John Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator with [the] @Giants. Rex was on @Ravens staff and wanted HC job when Harbaugh was hired in 2008. Ryan worked for Harbaugh for one year before he was hired by the @nyjets. They also worked together at @GoBearcatsFB in 1996 when Rex was DC and Harbaugh was ST Coordinator. Ryan would be outstanding hire,” Myers posted.
Would Ryan Return to the NFL?
Ryan hasn’t been in the NFL in a decade. Ryan’s last stint in the NFL was as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
After he was fired, Ryan turned in his coaching whistle for the glitz and glamour of ESPN television as an NFL analyst, and he hasn’t looked back.
Over the last five years, Ryan has interviewed twice for vacant defensive coordinator roles with the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. However, he didn’t land either gig.
This past offseason, he even interviewed for the Jets’ vacant head coaching gig before losing the battle to Aaron Glenn.
After all of this time away, is he ready to return?
Throughout his career, he has 11 years of experience as a defensive coordinator, spanning both the NFL and collegiate levels.
Ryan’s remarkable run in Baltimore caught the attention of the Jets in 2009 when they hired him to be their head coach.
Ryan was the HC of the NYJ for six years. During that stretch, Ryan had a .479 winning percentage, went to back-to-back AFC Championship games, and brought the Jets back to relevance.
Giants Are Stepping on the Jets Turf
Ryan returning to the NFL after a decade away would be fascinating. That wouldn’t necessarily have any impact on the Jets’ current search for a new defensive coordinator.
While there has been rampant fan speculation about Ryan becoming a DC with the Jets, it just doesn’t feel realistic.
Ryan is one of the most popular coaches in team history. The last time they were successful was with him running the ship. If AG were to bring him in, at the first sign of struggle, fans would be demanding that Ryan replace Glenn as the HC of the NYJ.
It would have the makings of a disaster.
If Ryan doesn’t land the DC gig with the Giants, New York could turn to another direction that directly impacts the Jets.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared on social media that the first public request to fill the Giants’ DC gig is a familiar name to Jets fans.
“Giants have requested to interview Vikings passing game coordinator and DB coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator position. Jones has interviewed in person with the Cowboys and Jets for their DC positions,” Schefter explained.
Jones is one of the eight candidates the Jets conducted a Zoom interview with for their vacant DC role. Now their cross-town rivals are expressing interest in the same coach. The intensity is about to turn up.
Popular Ex-Jets HC Surprisingly in Mix for John Harbaugh’s Giants Staff