Rex Ryan Discusses How He’d Handle Aaron Rodgers Ahead Of Today’s Interview For Jets HC Job

Rex Ryan will be among the many to interview for the Jets HC vacancy with his interview coming today.

On ESPN Monday morning, Ryan made the following comments about Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and expressed his displeasure with his absence during mandatory minicamp: “Clearly when you have a guy that doesn’t show up for mandatory minicamp and he’s a quarterback coming off an injury, I think that’s an absolutely ridiculous message you send to the team. So if he comes back, things would be different. If he’s back, it ain’t gonna be the country club, show up whenever the hell you want to show up. That ain’t gonna happen. I’ll just leave it at that.” (Zack Rosenblatt)

Despite those comments, Ryan feels that Rodgers can still play at a high level in the NFL: “I think he still has a great ability to throw the football. He is a starter in the league next year.”

Ryan wouldn’t comment on what his staff might look like should he get hired as the head coach: “I want the best staff. That could take time.” (Rosenblatt) 

Ryan, 62, began his coaching career back in 1987 at Eastern Kentucky. He worked for several schools before being hired by the Ravens as their DL coach in 1999.

Ryan eventually worked his way up to assistant HC/defensive coordinator before the Jets hired him as their head coach in 2009. He was fired after six years in New York and immediately hired by the Bills as their head coach.

Buffalo would fire Ryan in 2016 after two seasons and he’s been working as an analyst for ESPN ever since. 

For his career, Ryan’s teams produced a record of 61-66 (48 percent), which includes two postseason appearances and two trips to the AFC Championship game.

We will have more on the Jets’ search for their next head coach as it becomes available.