The Buffalo Bills are close to hiring a very familiar face as their new head coach.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Rex Ryan is about to become the new head coach of the Bills. According to Schefter, the Bills are putting the “finishing touches” on the deal. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported the same news just moments after Schefter.
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Ryan’s new contract with the Bills is for five years and $27.5 million, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta.
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NFL Media’s Kimberly Jones also reported that New York Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman is expected to join Ryan in Buffalo under the same role.
Ryan was fired by the Jets following the regular season after spending six seasons at the helm in New York as one of Buffalo’s AFC East rivals.
A lot of the issues Ryan and the Jets had in New York centered around poor quarterback play. The Bills don’t exactly have a great quarterback situation themselves. Kyle Orton played well for much of the 2014 season, but he announced his retirement following the regular season. EJ Manuel — who has a 78.5 career passer rating — is the only quarterback listed on the Bills’ current roster.
The Bills, however, do have a very talented defense, which should be right up Ryan’s alley. He’s widely considered one of the NFL’s top defensive minds, and there certainly are plenty of options for him in Buffalo.
Thumbnail photo Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
