The New York Jets are 2-10. The team has failed to finish above .500 in four straight seasons. The quarterback position has been the equivalent of a dumpster fire over the last six years. All of this adds up to head coach Rex Ryan's likely firing after this lost season.
But don't feel too bad for the jolly green Jet. One of Ryan's best attributes as a coach - his engaging personality and loquaciousness (looks like someone read their thesaurus this morning) - has reportedly landed him a TV job that will pay him $3 to $5 million a year should he decide to take some time off from coaching.
Several football-airing networks have expressed interest in Ryan as a spirited NFL analyst on the small screen next year, according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com.
"He pretty much has everything TV networks would look for. He has personality, he's not shy about his opinions, and he's a colorful character," said Seth Markman, the executive in charge of hiring ESPN's NFL studio talent. "I think he would be successful whether it is in studio or doing games. When I close my eyes and listen to him I hear a little bit of John Madden in him. There is going to be a lot of interest in Rex if that is what he wants to do."
Markman is the guy responsible for turning Ray Lewis into a mainstay on ESPN football, so his opinion should probably be taken seriously. In further support of his stance, here is a clip of Ryan's hilarious cameo in the Adam Sandler movie "That's My Boy."
Naturally, Ryan was personable and humorous when asked about the handful of TV Networks that would seek his services after the season.
"I have no idea," Ryan said. "It must be how handsome I am."
"Networks will reach out very quickly if Ryan gets fired and some have likely passed along word through emissaries to his business representatives," Deitsch wrote.
"ESPN would be among the favorites to land him given how many platforms and NFL-related shows it airs. It doesn't take a leap to see Ryan slotting into Mike Ditka's current role. CBS has long ties to Ryan given the network airs the AFC package and the coach has been in a ton of CBS NFL production meetings over the years. The network declined comment on Ryan this week."
Wherever Ryan lands, I'm confident millions of fans will tune in for the entertainment.
