Rex Ryan vows to save NY Jets in his continued head coach campaign

As the NY Jets prepare to search for their next head coach this offseason, one individual is already looking to cement themselves at the front of the list. Of course, we're talking about former Jets coach Rex Ryan.

Ryan has been proudly and openly advocating to be the next Jets coach since the team parted ways with Robert Saleh last month. What seemingly started as a playful suggestion has turned into a full-blown campaign.

The former NFL head coach continued his campaign during a recent appearance on ESPN New York’s “Bart & Hahn.” Ryan maintained that he was the best candidate for the job, insisting that he's "all about the Jets."

This comes just a few days after Ryan asserted the Jets would be undefeated if he were the team's head coach this season during an appearance on ESPN's "DiPietro & Rothenberg" on Monday. Say what you want about Ryan — he's confident.

"That’s what is going to separate me from all these other guys you’re going to bring in. Your Grudens or whoever. Give me a break. They ain’t New York Jets. I’m all about the Jets. And the great thing is, yeah, you get a second chance at it and that doesn’t happen very often. Well, when it does it’s usually special. We’ll find out if I get that chance or not. If not, I hope they have one hell of a guy in place cause I still want to be a fan of the Jets. I still want to be, but when I look around I know nobody is better than me."

Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan continued his campaign to be the NY Jets' head coach

Whether you agree with Ryan or not, his unwavering confidence in his own abilities remains a hallmark of his personality. It’s the same brash energy that made him both a beloved and polarizing figure during his tenure with the Jets, and it seems he’s not done making his case to return to the sidelines

Whether he’s declaring his loyalty to the franchise or pointing out the flaws of the current regime, Ryan has made it clear that he still sees himself as the ideal Jets head coach.

While his defensive mind has never been doubted, some might argue that his approach, rooted in the NFL of a decade ago, would struggle to adapt to the modern game.

Nonetheless, his passion for the Jets is undeniable, and his loud, charismatic personality continues to resonate with parts of the fanbase yearning for the energy of his early years.

Ryan helped lead the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Games in his first two years with the organization in 2009 and 2010. He was instrumental in instilling a culture of toughness and swagger, emphasizing defense and a ground-and-pound offensive identity that mirrored his larger-than-life personality.

That was also the last time the Jets organization found consistent success. Unfortunately, the good times wouldn't last long, as Ryan would record a losing record in two of his last three seasons, ultimately finishing with a sub-.500 record as Jets head coach.

It's easy to look back on the Rex Ryan era with green and white colored glasses, but there's a reason the former Baltimore Ravens assistant failed in Buffalo and hasn't coached at the NFL level in a decade. And there's a reason 31 other teams would have zero interest in adding Ryan to their coaching staff in the year 2025.

Ryan will always hold a special place in the hearts of Jets fans who are starved for success, but that doesn't make him an appealing head coach candidate in the present day. Give credit to the man, though — he's certainly trying.

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