Rex Ryan Refuses To Address Rumors That He Will Be Fired

Rex Ryan may be down to his final game with the New York Jets, but the boisterous coach is getting suddenly quiet about the situation.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported prior to the Jets victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday that Ryan gathered his players and told them that he will likely be fired. Ryan reportedly asked his players to fight with him for the last two weeks.

For Jets fans, rumors that Rex Ryan will be fired have become something of an annual tradition. For the past two seasons now rumors have swirled around the team that Ryan will be fired, though both times he was able to keep onto his job.

Rex Ryan is in his fifth season as head coach of the New York Jets, reaching the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons but failing to make the playoffs in the last three.

After beating the Browns 24-13 on Sunday, Ryan wouldn’t discuss his future with the team and said the only thing he’s focusing on is the season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

If Ryan does end up fired, it would likely mean that 2013 was seen as playoffs or bust, a bit of a strange circumstance given that the Jets were in rebuilding mode this year. Predicted by many to finish dead last in the league, the Jets had rookie quarterback Geno Smith thrust into the spotlight after Mark Sanchez was injured during the preseason. Smith has looked solid sometimes but with bouts of inconsistency.

But the late-season rumor mill being what it is, reports of the possible firing of Rex Ryan have intermingled with rumors that Jon Gruden could be leaving the broadcast booth to return to the sidelines. Though there is nothing behind either rumor, neither will likely be put to bed until after the season ends.