Rex Ryan has been out of NFL since 2016 when he was fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
The ESPN analyst is reportedly trying to get back on the sidelines after meeting with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton for the position of defensive coordinator.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton answers questions from the media at the UCHealth Training Center on February 6, 2023, in Englewood, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Ryan has emerged as a «surprise candidate this week» for the DC job, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.
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Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2005 to 2008 before becoming the head coach of the Ravens. new york jets.
In New York, Ryan compiled a record 46-50 in six seasons and led the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010.
He was fired by the Jets in 2014 after going 4-12 and became the Bills’ head coach for two seasons from 2015-16.
Ryan has been an analyst for ESPN since 2017.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan celebrates with players and coaches following a win against the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
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Payton was officially named the head coach of the Broncos in early February after taking a year off from coaching.
He walked away from the New Orleans Saints after the 2021 season and worked for Fox as an NFL analyst.
While Payton said he enjoyed his year covering the NFL, nothing replaced the feeling of being on the sidelines.
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Rex Ryan speaks during the ESPN portion of the Summer Television Critics Association press tour on July 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
«You drive home and there’s nothing to replace the feeling of winning,» Payton said at his introductory news conference, according to the Broncos’ website. «It just wasn’t like that. So from a distance, I used this analogy, it was kind of like that race track where you could smell the gasoline, you I heard the cars runyou could see the lights.
«You knew you were there. And you know how it is. It’s hectic, it’s loud, it’s busy, it’s loud, it’s not always fun. There are hard times. There are losses, there are wins. But every day you would look and listen, and you’re thinking , ‘Man, I can’t wait to get back.'»
Ryan’s brother, Rob, was Payton’s defensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2013 to 2015.