The Rex Ryan era in New York is officially over. The Jets announced early this morning that they would be parting ways with Ryan as well as GM John Idzik after yesterday’s regular season finale. Rex Ryan has been the head coach of the Jets for the last six seasons and finishes his career with Green and White with an overall losing record of 46-50 with his tenure highlighted by leading the Jets to back to back AFC championship games in 2009 and 2010.
According to ESPN Rex Ryan coached the third most games in Jets history behind Joe Walton who was at the helm for 111 games and Weeb Ewbank who coached 154 games. However the trouble with up is there’s always a down, as this past season was Rex Ryan’s worst season as head coach of Jets as they finished the 2014 season yesterday with a record of 4-12.
Rex Ryan’s final game ended with an impressive win over the Miami Dolphins 37-24 on the road. Ryan’s final victory as Jets head coach was one that looked like everything finally came together on offense. With quarterback Geno Smith playing his best game of the season. However quarterback play has been a problem under Rex Ryan and a huge reason why his tenure as coach is over.
In the last three seasons under Rex Ryan the Jets have ranked 30th or below in total QBR and have never ranked higher than 17th in total QBR over the span of six seasons. In today’s passing league you need to have good play at the quarterback position if you want to be successful and make the 12 team tournament at the end of week 17. Their performance as a team in the win makes for a promising future, the damage had already been done to Ryan’s regime when Gang Green went on an eight game losing streak after winning their opening game.
John Idzik was named the GM of the Jets in January of 2013 and finishes his very brief career with the Jets being infamously known as the man who let star cornerback Darrelle Revis get away twice: One time via trade to the Buccaneers, and the second time letting the free agent walk this past offseason as he strolled right into Foxboro to play for the rival Patriots. Despite his mistakes he is credited with drafting stud defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, along with the up and coming stars of the secondary, Calvin Pryor and Dee Milliner. He also brought in running back Chris Ivory, who has been a steady force in the Jets power running game. However Idzik’s inability to put together a playoff caliber roster while being millions of dollars under the cap is why he is on his way out of New York.
Owner Woody Johnson stressed during his press conference this morning that change is needed despite all Rex Ryan has done for the Jets organization. He said “We’re in a win business and we’re not winning, so I thought this was something I had to do… it’s a necessary step.” The Jets are in a very delicate situation with more big decisions looming in the very near future. Johnson commented on the current state of the Jets saying “This is very, very critical right now. We’ve got to make some good decisions. We have to know exactly what we’re looking for.”
With this offseason as important as any in recent franchise history, the Jets need to find the right pieces to build not only a winning team, but a winning attitude throughout the organization and avoid becoming a perennially losing franchise.
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