The New York Jets find themselves in familiar territory with their season spiraling downward with a 3-8 record heading into Week 12.
The organization has already made sweeping changes, parting ways with head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
Now, owner Woody Johnson faces mounting pressure to chart a new course for the franchise.
As speculation swirls around potential replacements like Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel or Jon Gruden, a voice from the Jets’ past has emerged.
Rex Ryan, the team’s former head coach, continues to express interest in returning to the sidelines at MetLife Stadium, becoming particularly vocal following the recent loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Ryan recently laid out his case with characteristic confidence.
“Nobody’s seen a team gonna play as hard as this team’s gonna play in the future, trust me, if I’m the guy. Trust me. … That’s what’s gonna separate me from all these other guys you’re gonna bring in. Your Grudens or whoever. Give me a break. They ain’t New York Jets. I’m all about the Jets,” Ryan said, via ESPN New York.
ICYMI on @BartAndHahn:
Do the New York Jets need to blow it up?
Rex Ryan doesn’t think so. pic.twitter.com/Xoi9V1NnVi
— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) November 21, 2024
The current ESPN analyst pushed back against the notion of a complete roster overhaul, maintaining that the current talent pool has what it takes to succeed.
His passionate pitch centered on bringing back the intensity that marked his previous tenure.
“And the great thing is, yeah, you get a second chance at it and that doesn’t happen very often. Well, when it does it’s usually special. So we’ll find out if I get that chance or not. If not, then I hope they have one hell of a guy in place cause I still want to be a fan of the Jets. I still want to be, but when I look around I know nobody’s better than me,” Ryan said.
His previous stint with the Jets tells a story of early promise followed by gradual decline.
His tenure began with remarkable success, guiding the team to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in his first two seasons, the high-water mark in recent franchise history.
However, the momentum couldn’t be sustained, and Ryan departed with a 46-50 record, posting losing seasons in two of his final three years as the team’s culture deteriorated.
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