Broncos Could Add Former Jets Head Coach to Sean Payton's Coaching Staff

Ex-Jets head coach Rex Ryan is a candidate to resume his coaching career and serve as the new defensive coordinator in Denver.

Max Goodman | Feb 12, 2023

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Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan interviewed with new Broncos head coach Sean Payton this week to be Denver's defensive coordinator, per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

Glazer called Ryan a "surprise candidate."

Ryan hasn't coached in the NFL since he spent two seasons as the Bills head coach. Shortly after he was fired from that position in 2016, he transitioned to working as an NFL analyst on ESPN.

Before his brief stint in Buffalo, Ryan was the head coach of the Jets for six seasons. The Jets were one win away from a Super Bowl appearance in both of Ryan's first two seasons at the helm with New York (2009 and 2010). New York hasn't been back to the postseason since then, the longest playoff drought in the NFL.

Ryan served as the Ravens defensive coordinator prior to his head coaching debut with the Jets as well.

Earlier this offseason, New York hired ex-Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator. Hackett didn't last one full season in Denver, fired after a disappointing 4-11 start in 2022.

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Published Feb 12, 2023

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.