Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Is Rex Ryan a good fit for the Broncos DC vacancy?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/13/23

ESPN analyst and former Jets HC Rex Ryan has a decent resume, but Denver should consider another defensive coordinator candidate.

Per FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer, new Broncos HC Sean Payton interviewed Ryan for Denver's vacant DC position this week.

A little Sunday morning scoopage: new Broncos head coach Sean Payton interviewed a surprise candidate this week to be his defensive coordinator, ESPN’s Rex Ryan @NFLonFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 12, 2023

Ryan gained notoriety as the Jets HC from 2009-14, leading them to consecutive AFC Championship appearances in the 2010 and 2011 NFL playoffs.

Payton is familiar with Ryan because Rex's brother, Rob Ryan, served as New Orleans DC from 2013-15. In 2013, the Saints defense finished fourth in yards allowed.

Ryan's success in New York and family connection might make him more attractive than other candidates like Sean Desai, who only had one year of DC experience in Chicago.

However, Ryan's been out of coaching since 2016, and his last stop as Buffalo HC should ring alarm bells.

Ryan went 15-16 in two seasons, and the Bills ranked 19th in yards allowed and 17th in points allowed during his final season.

The Broncos can't afford to have a DC who's settling in again and adapting to new-age offenses, especially since they're in a division with Chiefs superstar QB Patrick Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Also, Denver's defense was a reliable unit, ranking eighth in yards allowed. It wants the crew to remain strong because the Broncos have enough to rebuild after going 5-12 in 2022.

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