Rex Ryan May Make A Surprise NFL Return

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos cleaned house this offseason, hired a new head coach, and are now on the hunt for a defensive coordinator.

Yesterday, a surprising candidate emerged in their DC search, someone who hasn’t been in the NFL for quite some time.

Rex Ryan has not served as a defensive coordinator since 2008. That could all change soon. https://t.co/9JFmRYkT8d

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023

Rex Ryan has been rumored to be the front-runner for the Broncos’ DC job.

Ryan was a coach in the league for over 17 years.

He has held titles including head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, and assistant head coach.

Before Ryan, the Broncos conducted several interviews for their vacant position.

Ryan hasn’t been a defensive coordinator since 2008, causing skepticism among Broncos fans.

Why would the team even consider hiring someone who hasn’t coached that aspect of the game since the Bush administration?

During Ryan’s final season as the DC of the Baltimore Ravens, they were a top-three defense in the league, allowing just 15.1 points per game.

He has proven he can find success in this role, even though it was over a decade ago.

Whether the Broncos go with Ryan or not, the team is in desperate need of new defensive leadership.

By hiring Sean Payton as their head coach, it appears that the Broncos are all in for the 2023 season.

They inked Russell Wilson to a massive deal before the 2022 campaign and will look to build around him for the foreseeable future.

Even if Wilson can improve mightily this year, the defense still needs to get stops.

Do the Broncos believe that Ryan is the best option to make that happen?

NFL Bulletin