Rex Ryan Had Fitting Reaction To Patriots Hiring Mike Vrabel

Mike Vrabel is back with the Patriots, but he might not be the only household name who returns to the AFC East this offseason.

Vrabel on Sunday was officially named New England’s new head coach, a position that was vacated when Jerod Mayo was fired last Sunday. The news broke in the middle of the latest “Sunday NFL Countdown” episode, which allowed Rex Ryan to give a spur-of-the-moment reaction to the news.

“Hopefully I get to kick this guy’s ass twice a year,” Ryan said on ESPN before noting that he was “just kidding.”

Of course, Ryan was referring to his candidacy for the Jets’ head coaching position. Vrabel also interviewed with New York, but one report claimed the ex-linebacker only did so to motivate the Patriots to intensify their interest.

It’s unclear where Ryan resides on the Jets’ wish list as the franchise moves forward in trying to replace Robert Saleh. But there’s reason to believe Ryan’s candidacy will be taken seriously, as he lead Gang Green to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in his first two seasons in the Meadowlands.