DENVER — Rex Ryan has always been a brash, tell-it-like-it-is conversationalist and the way it was for Denver Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson last season wasn’t always good.
An NFL analyst for ESPN the previous six years, Ryan was often among the most outspoken critics of Wilson’s play last year. The word “pathetic” once barked from Ryan’s tongue. In fairness, Ryan gushed praise upon Wilson early in the 2020 season, when as the Seattle quarterback, Wilson threw 14 touchdown passes through the first three games and 26 through seven.
After six years out of coaching, Ryan could be getting back in as the defensive coordinator for Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos. It was reported by FOX, the network where Payton worked this past season, on Super Bowl Sunday that Ryan interviewed for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator position.
While he may not necessarily be th leading candidate, the report should be taken seriously. Ryan was interviewed for the Broncos' top defensive job, 9NEWS confirmed. Industry sources say Ryan has been doing research on candidates to fill other defensive coaching positions in case he gets the nod from Payton, who has interviewed five other candidates for the position, including former Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai. And more defensive coordinator candidates may be considered. (Update: The NFL Network is reporting Ryan is a top candidate to become the Broncos' next defensive coordinator. A team source told 9NEWS that Ryan is in the mix but other candidates are still being considered.)
Hiring Ryan would be a bold, out-of-the-box move by Payton. But have you been around Sean Payton the past 17 years? Rob Ryan, Rex’s twin brother, was Payton’s defensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2013-15. The Saints’ D ranked No. 2 in total defense during an 11-5 season in 2013 but the defense, along with the rest of the team, slipped the next two seasons.
There was a time Rex Ryan was considered the NFL’s most aggressive, unpredictable and successful defensive coordinator. But it’s been a while. He last called defensive plays as a coordinator in 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens, although it was obvious during his eight years as head coach with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills that Ryan oversaw the defensive game planning and strategies.
The son of the late Buddy Ryan, who was the defensive architect of the famed 1985 Chicago Bears, the most ferocious defense in NFL history, Rex Ryan had No. 1 defenses in both scoring and yards allowed in his second year as defensive coordinator with the Ravens in 2006 and first year as Jets’ head coach in 2009. He had top 10-ranked defenses in 9 of his 12 seasons as defensive coordinator or head coach.
“When Dad looked at football players, he would take them in his own image,’’ Ryan once said. “That's what he grew up around; that's what he was when he was a master sergeant in the Korean War. That's what I took, and that's what I want on my football team.’’
He also once said this: "If you take a swipe at one of ours, we'll take two swipes at one of yours,’’ Ryan once said as the Jets’ head coach. “We're going to turn the heat up, we're going to let the fur fly, and let's see what happens."
He is known for bringing pressure on the quarterback. His defenses ranked in the top 9 in sacks five times. And he is also known for having a speaking his mind without much filter.
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