Things need to change in New York. Broadway Joe knows it. Fireman Ed knows it. Tim Tebow knows it. And apparently, Rex Ryan knows it.
Ryan is, in fact, so adamant about the Jets making changes in the offseason that he’s intimating to “anyone who will listen” that he’d be better off getting fired if owner Woody Johnson isn’t willing to make changes to player personnel and coaching issues on offense, according to the New York Daily News.
The Jets, who enter Sunday’s season finale against Buffalo at 6-9, are once again limping across the finish line, due in large part to their putrid offense. The team’s passing attack has been particularly porous, with Mark Sanchez losing his starting job, only to then regain it following an injury to Greg McElroy — all while Tebow sits ideally on the New York sideline.
Clearly, things need to change in the Meadowlands, but it’s unclear what those changes will be. Ryan reportedly hasn’t been given assurances about his job security beyond this season, but according to the New York Daily News, it’s unlikely that Johnson would fire the fourth-year head coach, especially since he’s owed more than $6 million over the next two seasons.
Ryan’s preference reportedly is to stay with the Jets while Johnson contributes resources to help the offense, and it’s unlikely Ryan would resign, even if Johnson didn’t make such changes.
“If Woody’s not willing to do what it takes to fix the team, then [Ryan] knows he’s better off being fired,” a team source reportedly told The Daily News. “If Woody is willing to eat some money and spend to get us out of this mess, then it’s worth staying.”
Among the changes Ryan might be seeking are a new offensive coordinator and a proven veteran quarterback. While the Jets’ quarterback situation has hardly been anything to write home about over the past four years, Sanchez regressed this year, and things are looking bleak for him as he enters his fifth season. Tony Sparano, meanwhile, has struggled to get a grasp on the Jets’ offense in his first season as New York’s O-coordinator.
So will Johnson give Ryan the resources he needs to succeed, or will things stay the same in the Meadowlands? Ryan better hope Johnson takes the latter path, or else 2013 could be another long year in Jets Country.
