DEBATE: Should Rex Ryan Offer to Coach in 2014 Without an Extension?

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets coach Rex Ryan reacts during the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, as we possibly enter the final full day of Rex Ryan’s coaching tenure with the New York Jets, I wanted to take a look at an idea brought up in the Post by Steve Serby. Take a look at his article here, where he talks about how he believes Rex should offer to coach in 2014 without a contract extension.

The premise is that Ryan is under contract for 2014 anyway.  If he goes to Woody and to Idzik and makes that offer, it shows the confidence he has in himself to keep the program moving forward.  It also is a financial bonus to the team, as he would keep Rex as his current salary, rather than firing him, still paying him, and also paying his successor.

Serby also believes that Rex has earned the right to coach next year, thanks to what he has gotten out of the current roster, severely lacking in top end talent as we all know.

True points on all counts, but also why coach Ryan should not accept coaching as a lame duck.

In making a decision like that, Rex needs to look at what the future would hold.  Right now, he has the distinction of leading a roster to seven, maybe eight wins, when the talent level should have kept them from winning any more than four.

He was the leader of a defense that has stood stout, for the most part, in a season where they have been on the field more than they should have been.  It has been an excellent year for coach Ryan, despite the third straight season of missing the playoffs.

Coaching without an extension could be a disaster.  Despite the fact that the players love him, hey very well could lose them in a lame duck season.  It’s natural.  They know that he likely won’t be around, so they begin to not pay attention.  The defense starts to develop holes.  The offense continues not to produce consistently.  Geno, God forbid, begins to move backwards.

If the Jets were to relieve Rex of his duties at the point, his prospects of a new job in 2015 would also move backwards.  Why should Rex voluntarily do that?  Now, he holds out to get an extension, or he comes off a great year where he would certainly deserve, at a minimum, a defensive coordinator position.

So I say no, do not coach without an extension in 2014.  What do you think?  Vote below

Should coach Rex Ryan offer to coach without an extension in 2014?

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