Rex Ryan has been good theater since coming to Buffalo, but everyone there knows it’s time for results.
Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly made the expectations clear Thursday during an interview on the Jim Rome Show, saying Ryan needed to make the playoffs this year if he wanted to keep his job.
“I think we need to do it [make the playoffs],” Kelly said, via NJ.com. “I think we have to do it. If we don’t, I think Rex will probably be looking for another job. I think everybody knows that, including Rex. We have the nucleus to get it done.
“On paper, we look great, and we should be a very good team. But you cannot go to the playoffs, you can’t win championships, when you’re spending most of your time in the training room [with injuries]. You’ve got to stay healthy. Our key guys have got to stay healthy.”
Ryan went 8-8 in his first season with the Bills, making things interesting at times. But neither he nor they have been to the playoffs in quite some time.
And if those streaks don’t end this year, they’re apparently ready to look in another direction. Owner Terry Pegula reportedly gave a playoffs-or-else ultimatum to both Ryan and General Manager Doug Whaley before the end of last season, which sets the stage for a fascinating year for the entire organization.