Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh at training camp.
The New York Jets still have some staff positions to fill after the Super Bowl.
Chief among them is Miles Austin’s old role as Gang Green’s wide receivers coach. The former NFL wideout was suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy and will not return in 2023.
On February 12, ESPN insider Adam Schefter revealed one of the first known candidates for the job — and his last name should resonate with fans. He tweeted: “Jets requested permission to interview [Detroit] Lions’ assistant WR coach Seth Ryan for their WR coaching job. The son of Rex could land with the team his father once coached.”
Jets requested permission to interview Lions’ assistant WR coach Seth Ryan for their WR coaching job. The son of Rex could land with the team his father once coached.
More on Jets’ WR Coach Candidate Seth Ryan, Son of Rex Ryan
This would be a promotion for Ryan if he accepts the interview and is offered the job, meaning the Lions would have to match with some sort of promotion to keep him. Who is Seth Ryan though, besides an NFL legacy with a well-known dad?
Rex’s son played wide receiver at Clemson from 2013 through 2016, winning a National Championship with the university during his final season. Before that, New York Post reporter Brian Costello recalled that “Seth used to run around the practice fields in Florham Park when Rex was HC” from 2009 through 2014.
He entered the coaching world immediately after graduating from Clemson, starting as an intern with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 under former Jets assistant Anthony Lynn and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was the wide receivers coach for that LAC staff, by the way, and he’s currently competing in the Super Bowl.
Ryan ended up staying with the Chargers for four years, graduating from intern to offensive quality control coach in 2019 and 2020. Lynn was the head coach for all four of those seasons, as Ryan “worked primarily with the team’s wide receivers” according to his coaching bio.
In Detroit from 2021 through 2022, Ryan has helped wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams transition from college to the pros. St. Brown enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022.
Officially, Ryan served as the assistant WRs coach behind current Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El — another ex-player — and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Latest on Jets QB Search Includes Aaron Rodgers & Derek Carr Updates
There were also some updates on both Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr ahead of the Super Bowl — who are widely regarded as the Jets’ two best available options at quarterback in 2023.
In terms of Rodgers, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that “the New York Jets have inquired about Aaron Rodgers’ availability with the Green Bay Packers, per sources.” He added that the move “was expected as New York explores veteran options.”
Although this was anticipated, it’s the first time we’ve officially heard that the Jets have reached out to the Packers formally — which is big.
Gang Green fans also got some positive news regarding Carr. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared this story, informing that the “[Las Vegas] Raiders QB Derek Carr has informed the team he won’t accept a trade to the [New Orleans] Saints or any other team. The team is expected to release him and he’ll be a top free agent.”
This had been expected for a long time, like the Rodgers news, but it’s now official. This doesn’t mean Carr won’t sign with the Saints, who are the only known suitor that he has met with in person, it just means he isn’t willing to accept the financial terms of a trade.
The Jets will likely be involved in Carr’s free agent market if they get the feeling that Rodgers isn’t interested in heading to New York.
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Jets Target NFL Legacy With NYJ Ties as New WRs Coach: Report