Forget Rex Ryan! Ousted NFL coach should lead Jets next season, says NY host

With the Jets’ season all but eliminated from postseason contention, the search for the team’s next coach has begun.
On Friday, former MVP quarterback Boomer Esiason joined Cousin Sal on his FanDuel podcast to discuss he thinks the next Jets head coach should be. Esiason’s choice will surprise many.
“They need somebody like Jon Gruden. I mean, that’s what they need,” Esiason said, via X/Twitter They need a personality. They need somebody that’s tough that’s going to change the identity of the franchise, much like Rex Ryan did when he came from Baltimore.”
BUY JETS TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER
In recent weeks, Ryan has been campaigning for the job, and with Jets owner Woody Johnson hiring former general manager Mike Tannenbaum’s firm to help hire the team’s next GM, he’s seen as the favorite for the gig.
“I don’t think Rex is the answer right now,” Esiason added.
Esiason warns that the “real question” is who lead the front office next season?
Whoever that person is will have to answer for why Gruden should get another opportunity, given his clouded history in the league.
Gruden resigned as the Raiders’ head coach in October 2021 after seven years of emails containing homophobic, sexist and racist insults surfaced.
For weeks leading to his resignation, reports surfaced about Gruden’s old emails. One saw him insulting NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith. Another from the New York Times showed emails that included homophobic remarks targeted at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
According to the New York Times: Gruden “casually and frequently unleashed misogynistic and homophobic language over several years to denigrate people around the game and to mock some of the league’s momentous changes.
“He denounced the emergence of women as referees, the drafting of a gay player and the tolerance of players protesting during the playing of the national anthem …”
Recently, Gruden returned to the spotlight, joining Barstool Sports on a multi-year deal, according to The Athletic.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].