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The New York Jets became the first team in the NFL to fire their head coach this season as they canned Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start (the team’s record is now 4-12). A few weeks later, general manager Joe Douglas followed suit and was axed by Jets owner Woody Johnson, setting the organization up for yet another total rebuild.
And according to reports from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Jets might be applying the Matthew McConaughey-in-the-Lincoln-commercials method of “Sometimes to go forward, you have to go back,” as Rex Ryan and Ron Rivera are two names that are set to be interviewed by the organization.
Ryan and Ron Rivera are both 62 years old and were once two of the hottest head coaching candidates in the NFL, albeit 15 years ago. As the defensive coordinators of the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers, respectively, Ryan got hired by the Jets in 2009, while Rivera became the head coach of the Panthers in 2011.
In addition to the Jets and Panthers, Ryan coached the Bills for two seasons, while Rivera was the head coach of the Washington Commanders from 2020 to 2023.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: The #Jets kick off their HC interviews with former #Commanders coach Ron Rivera, and they could even interview their old coach, Rex Ryan. pic.twitter.com/mKIqfSZvzy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2024
The fact that the Jets are reportedly targeting head coaches in their 60s is evidence of just how dire of a position the franchise currently finds itself in as no reasonable up-and-coming promising head coach would dare hitch their future to the franchise’s perpetually sinking ship. The Jets are the owners of the longest postseason drought in American sports at 14 years and counting.
“The Jets are looking at the likes of Rex Ryan and Ron Rivera as their next head coach. At least they’re embracing their clown show status,” said one viral reaction to the news.
Ryan, who served as Jets head coach from 2009 to 2014, has been openly campaigning for the job through various media appearances in recent months, clearly intent on at least interviewing for the position.