The Patriots' announcement of hiring Mike Vrabel as their next head coach drew many reactions across the NFL, including from current and former coaches and players. Most ex-Patriots had many complimentary things to say, providing some optimism about the team's future after another disappointing year.
Vrabel is believed to be the right guy to reset the Patriots roster and bring the discipline and expectations that seemed to be lacking over the last year. He proved to implement that as the Titans' head coach, and he's coming to New England at the perfect time to do just that.
Because of that, most of the commentary around his hire projects the Patriots to be a contender within two years, with some opposing voices not exactly thrilled about that.
One of the more typically outspoken voices is Rex Ryan, who had some interesting things to say about the Patriots' latest move, which included an open challenge to the former linebacker.
Rex Ryan makes a promise he can't keep if the Jets hire him as their next head coach in response to Mike Vrabel's return to New England
As the news broke on Sunday morning about Vrabel, ESPN's NFL Countdown crew had a lot to say about his return to New England.
Ryan took the opportunity to send a strong message to the new head coach, and it might come back to haunt him if the Jets decide to hire him (or not) for that role on their team.
Rex Ryan’s reaction to New England hiring Mike Vrabel: pic.twitter.com/gjXJ6C4cJj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2025
It's all fun and games until you can't match your words with your actions, which the Jets have been known for doing a lot over the years. The expectations of the 2024 season are the latest example.
We might be able to add 2025 to that list if Woody Johnson thinks Ryan is the answer to their head coaching woes, which would be a delight for Patriots fans everywhere.
Regardless, Ryan's response to Vrabel's hiring is interesting, to say the least. He was one of the more successful coaches for the Jets during the Patriots dynasty, but that was more than a decade ago, and the Jets continue to Jet.
So the idea that he could step in and lead New York to the success they haven't reached since then is unbelievable, especially considering he'll have to take down a talented coach like Vrabel.