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Redskins: 30 candidates who could potentially replace Jay Gruden as head coach

By Jacob Camenker

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills walks offsides the field after losing to the Miami Dolphins at New Era Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills walks offsides the field after losing to the Miami Dolphins at New Era Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

16. . Former Head Coach. Buffalo Bills. Rex Ryan. 27. player

Previously: 21

Keep in mind that this list is essentially encompassing all the options that could be available for the Redskins. Not all of them are going to be good, but I can imagine a world in which they interview Rex Ryan for a job.

Ryan was once one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators and then, one of the league’s best defensive-minded head coaches. But his time with the Buffalo Bills didn’t go as planned. Ryan was only with the team for two seasons and despite the team’s solid performance under Doug Marrone, they weren’t able to do well under Ryan. His defenses were merely mediocre and the team was never a true playoff contender.

Over the course of the past few years, Ryan has been working as a studio analyst for ESPN. But it’s possible that he could want to return to the coaching ranks if the right job comes along. Could that happen in Washington? Maybe. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.

If the Redskins front office decides that they want to focus on the defense, they could attempt to lure Ryan back to be the head coach for the job. There are plenty of other better options with more upside, but if they can’t land any of them, Ryan may be a last-ditch resort for the team.

While Ryan has talent as a defensive-minded coach and could still be a good coordinator at the NFL level. But as a head coach? That’s questionable. He got himself in trouble at times with his bold proclamations and if he were to be hired and bring that over to Washington, it could cause issues if his teams didn’t live up to expectations.

If considered, Ryan could be a fine option for the Redskins. But he could also quickly become an unmitigated disaster. They’d be better served to target many of the other options on this list, but Ryan’s name may be floated around nonetheless.

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