Despite missing the playoffs for the third straight season in 2013, Jets coach Rex Ryan remains confident heading into 2014.
“My mentality is never going to change,” Ryan told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “I plan on kicking some butt. I just want to be a part of this team. This is where I want to coach.”
Ryan’s recent contract extension only guarantees his salary through 2015, which means it would be easy for Jets owner Woody Johnson to afford to fire Ryan after this season. Which in turn means that if Ryan doesn’t lead the Jets to the playoffs this year, he’s probably out.
Which seems fine with Ryan, because he plans to make the playoffs.
“I want to make the playoffs. Period. That’s all I think about,” Ryan said. “Whether you make it or not make it -- there’s no guarantee how many wins we have to get -- I can just tell you this: We want to make the playoffs. We want to be in there. It’s a disappointing season if you don’t make the playoffs. That’s three years in a row that we haven’t made the playoffs. So, heck, do I have to make [the playoffs]? I don’t know.”
What Ryan does know is that he wants the Jets to kick butt.