Rex Ryan has an unwavering confidence that he’ll get the New York Jets head coaching gig.
Why?
Because if no one else believes in Rex’s candidacy, who will?
Despite not being in the NFL since 2016, Ryan has made no qualms about wanting the Jets job. And even though he’s seemingly desperate for another chance at One Jets Drive, the team under his former general manager’s counsel, is amid an exhaustive search.
That exhaustive search might just include every NFL coach with a pulse besides Herm Edwards.
On Black Monday, the Jets had already requested interviews with Brian Flores, Josh McCown, Joe Brady, Matt Nagy, Arthur Smith, Brian Griese, Aaron Glenn, Vance Joseph and Bobby Slowik by noon ET. And that’s without mentioning their interviews with Mike Vrabel, Ron Rivera and Ryan, who is reportedly set to interview for the job on Tuesday.
Jets HC interview list so far:
🏈Mike Vrabel {Interviewed}
🏈Ron Rivera {Interviewed}
🏈Rex Ryan
🏈Brian Flores
🏈Josh McCown
🏈Joe Brady
🏈Matt Nagy
🏈Arthur Smith
🏈Brian Griese
🏈Aaron Glenn
🏈Vance Joseph
🏈Bobby Slowik https://t.co/2hYLkayihn— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
During a radio spot on DiPietro & Rothenberg Monday morning on ESPN New York, Ryan said he “100 percent” expects to get the job.
“Absolutely I do,” he added.
Rex Ryan will interview with the #Jets tomorrow, and he loves his odds of getting the job.@HDumpty39 | @RothenbergESPN
LISTEN: https://t.co/jLsa28DGEc. pic.twitter.com/WcGl1oXsDS
— DiPietro & Rothenberg (@DRonESPN) January 6, 2025
“And the reason I think I’m gonna get it is because I’m the best guy — and it ain’t close,” Ryan disclosed. “The thing that you have to do [is] you have to connect with a football team; you have to connect with your fanbase. And the way they play, that’s the most important thing — not just the Xs and Os and all that. Look, this [Detroit Lions offensive coordinator] Ben Johnson, I love him. I absolutely love him. But I’m a better candidate for this job than he would be.”
Ryan may have a point, especially since the Jets are not expected to request an interview with Johnson, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. It’s fair to assume that’s because the Jets’ job doesn’t exactly scream “cushy opportunity,” with meddling ownership, a shaky quarterback situation and a roster that has limited draft picks and little cap flexibility.
But Ryan likes his chances, even if he doesn’t have a staff assembled ahead of his interview.
Rex Ryan also said he doesn’t know what his staff would look like if the Jets hired him.
“I want the best staff. That could take time.” https://t.co/OUSLUA1vpy
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 6, 2025
Not a great answer by any stretch of the imagination for someone who’s been out of football for nearly a decade.
And yet, he’s clearly not letting the lack of a staff or recent NFL experience deter him.
His confidence? Boundless.
And while it could be viewed as an attempt to sell himself as the right fit, it also underscores the kind of personality that made him a larger-than-life figure during his first stint with the Jets. Whether that’s enough to earn him another chance in the big chair remains to be seen, but he’s going to keep pushing until told otherwise.
