Rex Ryan to interview with Jets: 'I'm the best guy, and it ain't close'

Rex Ryan is very confident he's the best option to take over the New York Jets' head coach opening.

"Absolutely I (believe I'll be the Jets' next head coach)," Ryan said Monday to ESPN New York's Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg. "The reason I think I'm going to get it is because I'm the best guy, and it ain't close."

Ryan previously served as the Jets' head coach from 2009-2014. He posted a 46-50 record with New York and won four playoff games. Ryan took over as the Buffalo Bills' head coach the following season and was fired after Week 16 in the 2016 campaign. He posted a 15-16 mark with the Bills.

Ryan's confident comments echo previous statements that he's made about his fit with the Jets.

"The thing that you have to do, you have to connect with the football team, you have to connect with your fanbase, and the way they play. That's the most important thing," Ryan said.

The 62-year-old is scheduled to interview for the job Tuesday.

New York fired former head coach Robert Saleh after Week 5. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took over as the team's interim head coach and went 3-9 to see the Jets finish the 2024 campaign 5-12.