Rex Ryan is exceedingly unlikely to return as the Bills’ head coach in 2017, and if the club suffers an embarrassing loss to the Steelers later today, Ryan could be fired as soon as Monday, a source tells Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. If Ryan is let go, Buffalo would likely promote offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn to interim head coach, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
[RELATED: Bills GM Refuses To Commit To Tyrod Taylor]
The Bills could still finish the 2016 campaign strong, and with four winnable games remaining on the schedule (Buffalo is set to face Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Miami, and New York), the club could win out, finish with a record of 10-6, and compete for an AFC wild card slot. Such a scenario remains unlikely, however — Football Outsiders gives the Bills just a 9.9% chance of making the playoffs — and Ryan’s crumbling status in Buffalo appears to have deeper roots than simply the team’s win-loss record.
Per La Canfora, the relationship between Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley is heavily strained, and Whaley may hold the upper hand given that he’s developed a “strong bond” with team ownership. Whaley and the Buffalo front office have repeatedly indicated that the Bills’ roster is better than its record, laying blame for this season’s results at the feet of Ryan, and have shared that belief with owner Terry Pegula. The Bills have seemingly decided against the idea of hiring a “football czar” to oversee operations — a role that Bill Polian and Tom Coughlin have been considered for in the past — meaning Whaley’s job should be safe.
Other personnel and coaching staff problems abound, such as the poor reaction to Ryan’s decision to hire his brother — longtime NFL defensive coordinator Rob Ryan — as a defensive assistant. Additionally, the Buffalo front office would like to see fourth-round quarterback Cardale Jones take the field at some point this season, as the club is highly unlikely to exercise its option on incumbent signal-caller Tyrod Taylor.
Whaley has to go. this team is not built to compete on the offensive side of the ball. Mccoy is good but without him they have nothing. a qb they apparently don’t want a wr1 that’s always hurt and no depth. I mean twice they signed Percy Harvin when they were stuck.
Rex may not deserve to stay either but Whaley certainly has to go. if I’m the pegulas I wipe the slate clean and start over.
Totally agree. Whaley is the one who overreached for EJ Manuel and Sammy Watkins. His track record is nothing to right home about. Pegulas as owners are completely lost.
Heres why this sucks. Lynn will come in, win the last 3 easy games, and all of the bills fans will say hes the future.
Unlike with Jeff Fisher, I don’t think the Bills should fire Ryan. I don’t see a better coaching option out there that’s realistic right now.
really? Austin, Both New England COordinators,seattle OC,Jville DC Mike Smith all came to me in about 30 seconds. Rex is done as a head coach, all of the ones ive mentioned are better football coaches than him, without the mouth. Chad Haley is a better fit for that team even though i dont think hes gonna get it.
Bills’ ownership needs to be more realistic. They’ve got a mediocre team that has been very competitive in a year of strong AFC teams (outside the AFC South). Instead of blowing it up why not keep your steady but not flashy qb and coach and continue building
did you say “steady not flashy head coach’?
surely you are just playing with us.
thats all he is!
Rex is the greatest coach in the history of the Bills. He and Tommy Hudspeth of the Detroit Lions will go down as coaches that made a difference when it counted.Losing records aside, both coaches deserve environment in the Hall of Fame