What a Rex Ryan Defense Would Look Like if Hired as Broncos DC

As new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton continues to fill out his staff, perhaps the biggest question to answer is who will become his new defensive coordinator, considering that he will be calling offensive plays.

The Broncos allowed Ejiro Evero, their 2022 defensive coordinator, out of his contract. Evero, who made a big impact on the Broncos' defense, has since accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Carolina Panthers.

Now a report has surfaced that Payton could bring in a big name from the past: Rex Ryan.

Jay Glazer broke the news on Twitter Sunday morning that Payton has interviewed Ryan, a current ESPN analyst, for the job. Being out of the NFL since 2016, what would a Ryan-coached defense look like in Denver? 

Let's sketch out his resume to find the answer. 

Ryan coached in the collegiate ranks from 1987 to 1998, with the exception of the years 1994 and 1995, during which he was on the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff. He then joined the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff in 1999.

Ryan coached the Ravens' defensive line until 2004, then was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005. His defense ranked among the best in the NFL from 2005 to 2008. 

The Ravens were no worse than sixth in yards given up per game, and, in all but one season, Baltimore was ranked in the top 10 in points allowed. That included ranking No. 1 in 2006 and No. 3 in 2008.

Ryan was one of the top head-coaching candidates for 2009, and the New York Jets hired him. Things went well in his first three seasons, in which the Jets went 28-20 with four playoff wins, but the next three campaigns didn't go as well. The Jets went 18-40, and Ryan was fired after the 2014 season.

Ryan spent the next two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he posted a 15-16 overall record and was fired with one game remaining in the 2016 season. His twin brother, Rob Ryan, worked with him in Buffalo. Since he was fired by the Bills, Rex has been out of the NFL.

It's fair to ask what Ryan would bring to the table, given that he's been out of the NFL for five seasons. One thing we do know, though, is that Ryan would be running a defense that would greatly differ from what the Broncos had under Vic Fangio and Evero.

As Aidan Curran of Inside The Pylon wrote a few years back, Ryan's last defense (in Buffalo) was a hybrid that utilized 3-4, 4-3, and 46 principles. Rex's father, the legendary Buddy Ryan, created the 46 defense that was made famous by the 1985 World Champion Chicago Bears. 

Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme is one of the more complicated schemes in the NFL, and is also one of the most aggressive. While traditionally a 3-4 styled coach, Ryan’s defense in Buffalo is a hybrid scheme that incorporates 3-4, 4-3 Under and even 46 elements off an Over/Under base front. 

If he did get the defensive coordinator job, Ryan would be yet another name that would make headlines. However, it's not a given that he will get the job. 

Payton has also interviewed Sean Desai, a defensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. But the Broncos aren't the only team to have talked to Desai, though. The Seahawks coach has also reportedly interviewed with the Cleveland Browns.

The Broncos also showed interest in Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores for the position before he accepted the defensive coordinator job with the Minnesota Vikings. But if the Browns do hire Desai, that doesn't mean Ryan will get the Broncos' job. Payton has indicated in interviews that he believes he should be slow to hire assistants.

It wouldn't surprise if Payton interviews additional defensive coordinator candidates in the coming days, rather than jump to hire a big name like Ryan.