Rex Ryan was on the hot seat pretty much all season, with rumors of his firing popping up almost daily. After months of stress, the New York Jets coach can finally exhale.
The Jets agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Ryan on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Ryan had one year left on his contract ($3.3 million salary), meaning a new extension will keep him under contract with the Jets through at least the 2015 season. Whether he makes it that far is a very different story.
The Jets confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.
“Rex is a phenomenal teacher and motivator. We are fortunate to have him as our head coach,” general manager John Idzik said. “The front office, coaches, players, this entire organization — we’re all in this together. We are all governed by the same motives and that is to build a perennial winner here with the Jets.”
With the extension, Ryan is no longer a lame-duck head coach, giving him security for at least next season. However, the Jets can make a coaching change in 2015 without much of a financial hit, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.
Ryan, 51, took over as the Jets’ head coach in 2009 after spending a decade with the Baltimore Ravens. He is 41-38 in five seasons in New York, leading the Jets to the playoffs twice, including back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game (2010 and 2011).
After a disappointing 2012 season, which ended in a 6-10 record, the Jets made major changes to the front office and Ryan’s job was very much in jeopardy. However, owner Woody Johnson kept Ryan on board and put his full support behind the head coach. New general manager John Idzik wasn’t quite as supportive, reportedly waiting for his chance to fire Ryan if things went awry.
Ryan turned in possibly his best season of work in 2013, though, leading a young roster and a rookie quarterback to an unexpected 8-8 finish. His impressive turnaround led to Johnson confirming that he would remain as head coach immediately after the Jets’ final game of the season, which likely led to his new extension as well.
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