Rex Ryan, who has long been a fixture in NFL circles, told reporters Monday that he expects to speak with the New York Jets about their head coaching vacancy once the regular season concludes. However, Ryan is reportedly not the first former head coach the team plans to meet with. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Jets are set to interview Ron Rivera this week.
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Rivera, who was fired by the Washington Commanders in January 2024, remains out of a job, allowing the Jets to interview him ahead of the season's end. This is a notable move for the franchise, as they look to rebuild after parting ways with Robert Saleh earlier this season following a 1-4 start. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has struggled to keep the team competitive, posting a 2-9 record since taking over.
Rivera's tenure in Washington ended with a disappointing 26-40-1 mark, and while he guided the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 during his 9-year run in Carolina, his final stretch with the team saw him fired midseason in 2019. Rivera's postseason success has been limited, with a lone playoff win and a loss in the 2015 Super Bowl. That lack of consistent success, combined with his inability to turn around the Commanders, raises questions about his future prospects as a head coach in the league.
The Jets, who have been interviewing potential General Manager candidates, have yet to officially start their search for a new head coach. With Rivera reportedly on the docket, it will be interesting to see if the team opts for a more experienced name or takes a different direction as they continue their search for a leader who can turn around their struggling franchise.
