Possible Rex Ryan Landing Spots After NFL Black Monday
By Erik Lambert
His time with the New York Jets is almost at an end. After a disappointing 2014 season that had high expectations, Rex Ryan is preparing to go job hunting for the first time in five years. Reports have already surfaced that he’s cleaning out his office ahead of the Week 17 finale in Miami. It’s a regrettable end for one of the more entertaining head coaches in the NFL. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t find work.
Ryan remains one of the best defensive minds in football and respected as a teacher and motivator. Teams will come to him with job opportunities. Here are some landing spots that could make sense.
Head Coach
Atlanta Falcons
Mike Smith has a chance to save his job Sunday if the Atlanta Falcons can win the division, but if they fail the another lost season will compel owner Thomas Dimitroff to make a change. Ryan makes a ton of sense because he can solve their primary problem. The Falcons have the worst defense in the NFL, allowing 404.4 yards per game and 25.5 points. If he can cut those numbers down then he’ll have Matt Ryan and that solid offense to do the rest.
Chicago Bears
Another team dispirited after a disappointing year that has tuned out their head coach Marc Trestman and are lost defensively. Ryan has deep connections to the Chicago Bears since his father built a legacy there as defensive coordinator of the famed 1985 championship team. He has the swagger and attitude Chicagoans love and the defensive prowess to recapture the identity of Bears football.
Defensive Coordinator
Arizona Cardinals
Keep in mind that Todd Bowles, current defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals is expected to be among the top contenders for a head coaching job. If he should go, it would leave a vacancy open on a team viewed as a Super Bowl contender. Bowles also runs a 3-4 defense just like Ryan, so the fit is natural. If Rex wanted to rebuild his reputation quickly, then teaming with Bruce Arians in the desert makes perfect sense.
Philadelphia Eagles
Another union that could really change the complexion of things in the NFC is if Ryan joined forces with Chip Kelly on the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s another organization his father worked for, and one that hasn’t had the greatest success recently on the defensive side of the ball. A chance to pair Rex’s defense with Kelly’s offense could instantly making the Eagles favorites in the East.