Rex Ryan’s NFL Playoff Take Turns Into Epic: Jets’ Head Coach Target Suffers Humiliating Loss
As the New York Jets search for a head coach to amend an embarrassing 5-12 2024 season, one of their lead candidates, in true Jets fashion, is embarrassing himself on television.
Rex Ryan, who was the Jets head coach from 2009-2015, is currently an analyst on ESPN. Heading into the NFL Wild Card round, he had a bold prediction for the opening game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans.
“I never realized the Chargers got a bye,” he said cartoonishly. “They’re playing Houston!”
The Texans took Ryan’s comments personally, blowing out the Chargers 32-12. The Texans’ defense had four interceptions and four sacks on Justin Herbert. C.J. Stroud threw for 282 yards, 122 of which were to Nico Collins.
Running back Joe Nixon had 106 yards and a touchdown on the day, with some words for Ryan.
“We smoking on that Rex Ryan pack,” Nixon said on an Instagram live, celebrating the Texans’ win with a big ol’ cigar.
Texans’ linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was a little more forgiving for Ryan. After his six tackle, two quarterback hit performance, he was asked in the locker room about Ryan’s comments.
“I think that was more TV,” he said. “He’s coached. I can’t fathom to think that he’s interviewing for jobs as a head coach and that’s his mentality that he thinks any week is a bye. He knows, I don’t take that personal.”
Ryan is one of 16 potential head coaches who have been interviewed by the Jets. The Jets already lost out on Mike Vrabel, who will be joining the Jets’ divisional rival in the New England Patriots.
Ryan has continued to express his desire for the Jets job. After news of Vrabel’s hiring broke on Sunday morning, Ryan was on ESPN talking about it.
“Hopefully,” said the shameless Ryan, “I can kick this guy’s (expletive) twice a year”.
