Rex Ryan is hopeful to get the chance to face Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots in 2025 if he returns to the New York Jets.
“Hey, man, hopefully, I get to kick this guy’s ass twice a year,” Ryan said on ESPN on Sunday when asked for his reaction to the Patriots hiring Vrabel. “… My team. Not me personally.
“I’m just kidding, Vrabes. I’m just kidding, buddy.”
Vrabel was officially announced as New England’s next coach a week after it fired Jerod Mayo. Vrabel was a linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 until 2008, but never crossed paths with Ryan when was coach of the Jets from 2009-14.
Ryan interviewed with the Jets for their head coaching vacancy. He’s been vocal about wanting to return to his former team and vowed that Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t receive the “country club” treatment he’d been used to. Rodgers said after the Jets’ win in their Week 18 finale against the Miami Dolphins that he’s going to take him to think about what his next move will be
SNY’s Connor Hughes reported on Sunday that Ryan is “completely out” of the coaching race for the Jets.
Ryan coached the longtime Patriots rival from 2009-14 and finished with a 46-50 record. The 46 wins rank third among Jets head coaches and his four playoff wins are the most in franchise history.
But while he had success early on, including leading the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances, Ryan had losing seasons in two of his final three years.
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