Getty Image / Rich Barnes
It was reported a while back that Sean Payton was looking to put together a coaching “dream team” wherever he ended up this offseason.
It looks like we could be getting close to finding out who the first member of that dream team will be.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Rex Ryan was a surprise candidate to become the next Denver Broncos defensive coordinators after years of working as a broadcaster.
Today, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Ryan is actually a top candidate to land the job.
Comeback? Rex Ryan has emerged as a top candidate for the #Broncos defensive coordinator job, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Ryan has been on ESPN after being fired by the #Bills in 2016. If all goes well, he could be headed back in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/pkPzR7SY1D
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023
When we last saw Rex Ryan in the NFL, it was at the end of an 8-year stint as a head coach in the league.
That stretch began with a pair of very successful seasons with the New York Jets. In each of his first two seasons as a head coach, he took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, the team wouldn’t finish above .500 again over his next 4 years and the team let him go after his 6th season.
He then headed to Buffalo to be the head coach of the Bills, but was fired by them with one game left in his 2nd season.
While he struggled to get results after his first 2 seasons as a head coach, there was never a doubt that he could coach a strong defense.
With the Broncos, he’d get a chance to take over a unit that has already been among the best in football for years.
This could be the perfect opportunity for Rex Ryan to make his return to the NFL.