Before the Jets faced the Browns on Sunday, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Rex Ryan told his players that “word on the street” was that he was being fired after the season.
The Jets went out and beat the Browns 24-13 on the field, giving them seven wins on the season. That’s a better than most people predicted coming into the year even if it will fall short of a playoff bid or a winning record, but Ryan didn’t use the postgame press conference to make his case for sticking around. He wouldn’t address the report about a speech or anything about his future other than what it says on his contract.
“I know I have a contract for next year,” Ryan said, via ESPNNewYork.com. “What I do know, guys, is that I’m coaching this team. I’ve said this all season long: My job is to focus on the present and what’s right now.”
You could come up with compelling arguments on both sides of the Ryan issue, which would make it fitting for them to finish 8-8 with a victory next week, but you can’t say he’s lost the team. The Jets have continued to play hard for Ryan and players sang his praises after the game even as they also refused comment on any Saturday night speech.
Owner Woody Johnson and General Manager John Idzik didn’t have anything to say either, we won’t know for sure how much any of that matters for at least another week.