Sean Payton must have enjoyed working with Rob Ryan so much that he’s looking to team up with Rex Ryan. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the more-illustrious Ryan is a “top candidate” for the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator opening. The better-haired Ryan worked with Payton as New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator from 2013 to 2015, and the experience didn’t exactly go swimmingly.
Rex Ryan, meanwhile, has worked as an ESPN analyst after being dismissed by the Buffalo Bills back in 2016; before that, he was known as the charismatic head coach of the New York Jets, a position he earned by thriving as a defensive coordinator. He hasn’t worked in that capacity since 2008, but the Broncos defense is rich with talent and he could enjoy rare autonomy on that side of the ball with Payton focusing his efforts on getting Denver’s offense off the ground.
What has this got to do with the Saints? Beyond the obvious Payton-and-Ryan connection, a couple of former New Orleans assistants have also been linked to the Broncos’ work-in-progress coaching staff, including former co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. If Ryan is hired as Payton’s defensive coordinator over Richard, he may have to look for an opening as a position coach elsewhere around the league. There could be other ripple effects here if Payton and Ryan can cut a deal, so we’ll see if those developments reach New Orleans.