Former Jets coach Rex Ryan had a sly reaction to the Patriots' decision to hire Mike Vrabel

[ad_1]

Ex New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan expressed his hope that he will have the opportunity to face Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots in the 2025 season.

Ryan responded to ESPN on Patriots decision on Sunday to hire Vrabel as the team’s head coach. This comes a week after New England fired Jerrod Mayo.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Jets head coach Rex Ryan shake after a game on November 22, 2009. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

“Hopefully I can knock this guy out twice a year,” he said with a smile.

Ryan was interviewing for the Jets’ head coaching job and suggested he was the frontrunner for the job. He replaces Robert Saleh, who was fired midseason, and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced Saleh.

“The reason I think I’m going to get it is because I’m the best guy for it. It’s not close,” he said, via ESPN. “You have to connect with your football team, with your fan base. How they play is the most important thing. It’s not just Xs and Os and all that.’

NFL LEGEND BRETT FAVRE SAYS AARON RODGERS STILL ‘STILL A LOT OF JUICE LEFT IN THE BANK

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a news conference on Dec. 12, 2023. in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Besides showing off his confidence, Ryan even offered a speech – the one aimed at quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“Obviously when you have a guy who doesn’t show up for mandatory minicamp — and he’s your quarterback, by the way, coming off an injury — I think that’s an absolutely ridiculous message you’re sending to the team,” Ryan said about Rodgers skipping mandatory minicamp over the summer for a trip to Egypt.

“When he comes back, things will be different. When he comes back, it won’t be a country club, show up when the hell show up. This will not happen. I’ll just leave it at that.”