Just over a week into their coaching search and it appears that the Buffalo Bills have found their guy, that being former Jets head coach Rex Ryan. It is reported that the deal is for five years and just north of 27 million dollars, thus making Ryan the 18th head coach in team history.
After being hired by the New York Jets in 2009, Ryan found instant success with the club, accumulating a combined 20 wins in his first two seasons, while also making it to the AFC Championship in back to back years. There was no doubt that Ryan’s team was built to win on the defensive side of the ball, as the Jets had one of the league’s most feared units. Offensively, the team was just average, although they were able to manage games quite well and rely on the defense to step up and make plays.
After a second consecutive loss in the AFC Championship in 2010, Ryan’s team would go on to miss the playoffs the following four seasons, ultimately resulting in the firing of the coach. In six seasons as the Jets head coach, Ryan posted a regular season record of 46-50, while going 4-2 in the postseason.
With the Ryan hiring, the Bills get a head coach who has lots of experience, has had success in both the regular season and playoffs, and most importantly, knows how to win against Tom Brady and the Patriots. However, the big question still remains, and that is, how will the offense improve under a defensive minded head coach?
Initial reports had Ryan linked with former Bears head coach Marc Trestman to be the offensive coordinator if Ryan were to get hired; however, it now looks like the Bills will be targeting 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman to run the offense. In his first three years with the 49ers, Roman was a big reason as to why the team’s offence was so illusive, and also did a great job developing quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Although Roman’s offense took a step back in 2014, he has shown the ability to have success with developing young quarterbacks, and this will be particularly important with Buffalo.
With former first rounder EJ Manuel the only quarterback on the roster, the Bills will look to add a minimum of two more signal callers before the start of training camp. Roman will have his hands full in working with Manuel, but at this point, the Bills have nothing to lose. If Roman is unsuccessful in developing Manuel, then the Bills will have to look into free agency or the draft to find their starter for 2015.
Defensively, Ryan will have to decide whether or not to keep current Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with the club. Schwartz was a big reason as to why the Bills had the fourth ranked defense in the entire NFL. Although Ryan and Schwartz have different defensive philosophies, it would be smart for the two of them to work together for the 2015 season. With two of some of the league’s great defensive minds working together, there is no telling how good the Bills defense may actually be.
Overall, the Bills hiring of Rex Ryan was a very smart one. Buffalo was the first team with a head coaching vacancy to hire someone to fill the void. There is no doubt that Ryan brings, fire, passion, and a winning attitude to the table, and that is just what the Bills need. The talent on the defensive side of the ball is there. If Buffalo can improve offensively, and find a viable starting quarterback, whether it’s Manuel, a free agent, or a draft pick, there is no doubt that the Bills will be in the playoffs for the first time in over 15 years.