Chiefs rumors: Rex Ryan could replace Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator
By Matt Conner
Rex Ryan’s name has been mentioned by Adam Schefter as a potential replacement for Bob Sutton as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Rex Ryan hasn’t been on an NFL sideline in two years, but he might be ready to return if presented with the right situation. Adam Schefter is reporting that Ryan could be a face to watch as the Kansas City Chiefs now begin their search for a new defensive coordinator after firing Bob Sutton on Tuesday.
What’s interesting here from the outset is the ESPN connection for both Ryan and Schefter which should lend a bit more weight to the “rumor” here. Schefter is ESPN’s leading NFL reporter and he’s in Bristol with Ryan, who has become an NFL analyst for the Worldwide Leader since being fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2016. If anyone had an inside edge on what Ryan might be thinking, Schefter or someone similarly positioned would have it.
That said, Sutton was just fired and Schefter himself just termed Ryan as a “name to watch.”
Here’s a name to watch for the now vacant Chiefs’ DC job, per sources: former Jets and Bills’ HC and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, who has been approached about other DC openings in recent seasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2019
The reality is that the Chiefs have some time on their hands to conduct a full and thorough search to find Sutton’s replacement. Andy Reid has no shortage of connections and former proteges to consider or consult in this process, and he should have a few good candidates to select from when all is said and done. It wasn’t that long ago that the Chiefs own offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had 4 separate interviews and 5 teams linked to him only to return back to the same place he started.
Ryan, who is still only 56-years-old, never once had a defense finish worst than 19th overall (which was the rank for the Bills in his final season in 2016). Whether as a head coach for the Bills and Jets or a defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, Ryan’s units were always known for their blitzing schemes and overall toughness. In yards allowed, Ryan’s defenses finished in the Top 10 in 9 of his 12 years as a coach—finishing first in total points allowed on two separate occasions.