Rex Ryan says he expects to be named the next NY Jets head coach

Say what you want about Rex Ryan, he's never been one to lack confidence. The former NY Jets head coach turned 2025 Jets head coach candidate is confident in his chances of landing the job he officially interviewed for last week.

Ryan is one of 15 known candidates the Jets have interviewed or have requested to interview in what is expected to be an extensive hiring process. Most don't see Ryan as a legitimate candidate, but he doesn't seem to care about outside perception.

Rex believes it's his job to lose.

In a recent appearance on ESPN's DiPietro & Rothenberg radio program this week, Ryan insisted that "100 percent" expects to be named the next Jets head coach. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, Ryan is "convinced" the Jets will hire him.

"Oh, 100 percent, absolutely I do. The reason I think I'm going to get it is because I'm the best guy for it. It ain't close. The thing you have to do is, you have to connect with your football team, you have to connect with your fan base. The way they play, that's the most important thing"

Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan believes he will be the next NY Jets head coach

Ryan brought up Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, widely seen as one of the top names in this year's coaching carousel. While Ryan was complimentary of Johnson, he made it clear that he believes he's a "better candidate."

The good news for Ryan is that Johnson is not expected to interview for the Jets' job. Reports suggest the ever-selective Johnson does not have any interest in the opening.

The Jets have already interviewed or will interview top candidates such as Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, and Brian Flores, among many others. It's difficult to buy into Ryan as a legitimate option for the team.

Ryan hasn't coached at any level of football in a decade. The NFL had seemingly passed him by during his latter years with the Jets and his stint in Buffalo over 10 years ago.

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The Jets are trying to shed their reputation as the laughingstock of the NFL and hiring Ryan would only serve to further that notion. But you can't fault the man for trying.

Ryan has essentially gone on a full-blown media tour over the last few months, publicly campaigning for the job in the wake of Robert Saleh's firing. The Jets are doing their former coach a favor by bringing him in for an interview.

After all, it would reflect poorly on Ryan to campaign so openly for the Jets' head coaching position only to be overlooked for an interview. In some ways, Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum might actually be sparing Ryan from a potentially embarrassing situation.

Ryan doesn’t seem to see it that way. Whether it’s overconfidence or a genuine belief in his own abilities, one thing is clear: Rex Ryan firmly believes he’s the right man for the job. You have to admire his conviction.

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