Jets Reportedly Telling GM Candidates They Aren't Allowed to Fire Rex Ryan

Whoever comes in to replace former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum likely won't fire head coach Rex Ryan with their first move. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, interviewed candidates are only being considered if they agree to keep Ryan for at least one year.

Ryan will enter his fifth season as the Jets' head coach and has built a record of 34-30 during his time there. Highlights of his run in New York have included back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game.

However, Ryan has struggled the last two seasons, going 8-8 in 2011 and 6-10 in 2012. His perplexing commitment to maligned quarterback Mark Sanchez has left fans baffled and led to mass speculation that he would be fired at the end of the season.

Not only has he managed to keep his job, but it would appear that the organization is committed to keeping Ryan around for the long haul.

According to Cimini, leading candidates for the general-manager position include former Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert, former San Francisco 49ers executive Tom Gamble, Green Bay Packers executive John Dorsey, Falcons executive David Caldwell and Giants executive Marc Ross.

With one of the worst offenses in the NFL, the new general manager will have his work cut out for him. Fans hoping to see Ryan gone will be disappointed. He will be in New York for at least one more season.