6 NFL Teams That Would Gladly Hire Rex Ryan If New York Jets Don't Want Him

First, allow me to preface this article by stating that in no way do I condone the firing of Rex Ryan. In fact, I believe he has done a remarkable job keeping his team in the playoff picture after the inordinate amount of injuries they have suffered this season. 

So, hypothetically speaking, if the Jets were to part ways with Rex Ryan, there would be a lot of teams interested in having a defensive mastermind run their team. Sure, he comes with a unique approach to coaching and certainly does not fit in with a handful of organizations, but his track record speaks for itself. 

Here are organizations that would be interested in having Ryan run their team. 

San Diego Chargers

A marriage between Rex Ryan and the San Diego Chargers would makes too much sense for both sides for it to ever actually happen. 

Ryan would finally get a franchise quarterback who can take some pressure off his defense. Ryan has never had a losing season with the likes of Mark Sanchez as his quarterback; just imagine how many games he could win when you combine a quarterback of Rivers' caliber and a Rex Ryan defense. 

Personnel-wise, the Chargers have a few key pieces he can work with on defense. He can make the Chargers a perennial top-five unit, and let Rivers take care of the rest. 

Meanwhile, Ryan would give the Chargers organization a much-needed breath of fresh air. Between missing the playoffs and constant rumors about a possible relocation to Los Angeles, Rex would be the perfect guy to get the Chargers right back on the map just as he did with the Jets in 2009. 

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders will likely hold on to rookie head coach Dennis Allen, but in a hypothetical world, is there a better fit in the galaxy than Rex Ryan and the Oakland Raiders?

Just from an attitude and philosophical standpoint, the Raiders and Ryan both stand for the same thing. The Raiders were always the brash, bold, unconventional franchise that went against the grain.

Ryan embodies all of these qualities as a head coach, almost to the point where he has turned the Jets into the modern-day Raiders. His approach rubs many the wrong way, but it is his uniqueness that sets him apart from other coaches.  

Plus, he would have a veteran quarterback he can rely on while he figures out a way to fix the problems with Oakland's horrendous defense. 

Arizona Cardinals

Right now, the current Cardinals roster very much resembles the post-2008 Jets roster that Ryan inherited. 

The Cardinals have a handful of stars on defense (including a cornerback on the verge of becoming elite), and an offense that is starving for a quality, franchise quarterback. 

If the Cardinals go with another rookie quarterback next year, Ryan would be a great man to lead their team because he has proven that he can win on the back of an elite defense. 

Plus, the fact that the Cardinals are mulling the possibility of naming their defensive coordinator head coach proves that they are willing to take on the personality of a defensive-minded head coach. 

The only problem is, he would have to swallow his pride a bit and get along with Kerry Rhodes. 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are another squad that would fit Ryan's team-building philosophy perfectly. 

They lean on their defense and running game to overcome the youth and inexperience of their passing game to win games. Plus, the Browns have their own version of Darrelle Revis in Joe Haden. 

The Browns are solid defensively, but Ryan would get them to become the elite unit they are capable of being. Meanwhile, Ryan would love to sit and watch Trent Richardson carry the offense on his back. 

It remains to be seen if Pat Shurmur will be a victim of ownership change in Cleveland, but there is no doubt that Ryan would love to coach this team. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

If a franchise wants to create some buzz for its brand, hiring Rex Ryan is a quick and effective way to go about doing so. His energy would help jump-start a franchise that has been dormant since its last playoff win in 2007.

He's no Tebow, but he can at least get the Jaguars back on the front page of the paper and give them more national attention. 

On the field, the Jaguars are having plenty of issues with their defense that Rex could help fix. Rex has been able to manufacture a pass rush in New York with scheme; he can do the same for a Jaguars team that struggles greatly in that area, being last in the league in sacks. 

Offensively, the Jaguars have a few pieces in place on the offensive line and skill positions. If Rex can win with Mark Sanchez, he can win with Chad Henne until they find the right quarterback. 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have just spent the last few years with an offensive guru at the helm. After watching their overpaid defense surrender 50 points to the Seahawks on Sunday, it may be time to go a different route. 

With the amount of talent on the Bills' defensive line, Ryan would have this unit in the top 10 in the league in no time. 

Plus, just like the Jaguars, the Bills are struggling to build their brand and are constantly thrown around as possible candidates for relocation. When a franchise has not been to the postseason since the days of the Y2K bug, it's time to make some drastic changes. 

Ryan would give western New York new life immediately and get every ounce of talent out of a roster that has been vastly underperforming.