Rex Ryan uses Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel to make hilarious plea for Jets job

Rex Ryan is eager to return to an NFL sideline, especially if it’s a reunion with the New York Jets.

So much so in fact, the ESPN NFL Countdown analyst couldn’t help but take a dig at new New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel when asked about the Sunday morning news of his hiring.

“Hopefully I get to kick this guy’s ass twice a year,” joked Ryan, as the rest of the Countdown crew erupted in laughter. “Just kidding, Vrabs. I’m just kidding, buddy.”

Rex Ryan’s reaction to New England hiring Mike Vrabel: pic.twitter.com/gjXJ6C4cJj

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2025

NFL Sunday Countdown host Mike Greenberg, a noted Jets fan, tried to clear up any confusion by suggesting Ryan meant his team, which, in this scenario, would theoretically be the New York Jets.

“My team, yes, not me personally,” Ryan added.

Ryan, the 62-year-old NFL coach-turned-ESPN analyst, last coached in the NFL during a two-year stint leading the Buffalo Bills (2015-16). That followed a six-year term as the New York Jets head coach from 2009-14, during which he went 46-50 with two playoff appearances, but failed to make the postseason over his final four seasons, which ended with his firing following a 4-12 mark in 2014.

Rex Ryan ‘100%’ expects to land New York Jets head coaching job

Rex Ryan spoke Monday about his chances to land the New York Jets head coaching job, saying he is confident he’ll return to the Meadowlands.

Ryan is reportedly set to interview with the Jets Tuesday, per a weekend report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Jets already completed an interview with former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who’s expected to be a hot candidate this cycle.

But if Ryan has his way, he’ll return to the sideline for New York.

“100%, absolutely I do,” Ryan said on ESPN New York. “And the reason I think I’m going to get it is because I’m the best guy, and it ain’t close. The thing that you have to do, you have to connect with a football team. You have to connect with your fan base and the way they play. That’s the most important thing, not just the x’s and o’s and all that. Look, this Ben Johnson, I love him. I absolutely love him, but I’m a better candidate for this job than he would be.”

Ryan is 61-66 overall as a head coach, going 15-16 with the Bills in two seasons, but hasn’t coached in nearly a decade. Since then, he’s worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN, being featured on Sunday NFL Countdown, Get Up, and more.

Nick Kosko contributed to this report.