When John Harbaugh took the reins as the new head coach of the New York Giants, he faced a major decision right out of the gate: who would run his defense? And according to Harbaugh himself, Rex Ryan was very much in the conversation.
“I talked to Rex about that job at length,” Harbaugh told The Athletic. “Rex is a guy I love and have a lot of respect for.”
That’s no small endorsement. Ryan, 63, has been around the NFL block more than a few times, and his defensive pedigree is well known.
From his early coaching days at Eastern Kentucky in 1987 to his rise through the NFL ranks, Ryan built a reputation as one of the most aggressive and creative defensive minds in the game. His tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, where he served as defensive line coach and eventually as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, helped lay the groundwork for a Ravens defense that became one of the most feared units in football.
Harbaugh knows that legacy well - after all, he was part of the Ravens organization himself. So the connection with Ryan runs deep. But in the end, Harbaugh opted to go in a different direction, choosing a younger voice to lead his defense: Dennard Wilson.
Wilson, who served as defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans over the past couple of seasons, brings a fresh perspective and an ascending reputation. While he doesn’t have the same résumé length as Ryan, Wilson has made a name for himself as a smart, adaptable coach with a knack for getting the most out of his players. In today’s NFL, where versatility and speed are at a premium, it’s easy to see why Harbaugh would lean toward a coach who’s been immersed in the modern evolution of defensive football.
Still, the idea of Rex Ryan back on the sidelines in New York - this time in blue instead of green - would’ve been a fascinating twist. Ryan's head coaching stints with the Jets and Bills were nothing if not eventful.
He took the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010, riding a dominant defense and a brash, confident style that became his trademark. But after six seasons in New York and two more in Buffalo, Ryan's head coaching record settled at 61-66 - a shade under .500 - before he transitioned into a broadcasting role with ESPN.
Since then, Ryan’s been a mainstay on television, offering up his trademark fire and defensive insights from the studio. And while he’s been away from the sidelines for nearly a decade, his name still carries weight - especially with coaches like Harbaugh who know what he brings to the table.
Ultimately, Harbaugh’s decision to go with Wilson signals a forward-looking approach for the Giants. It’s a bet on youth, innovation, and building something that can grow over time.
But the fact that Rex Ryan was seriously considered? That speaks volumes about the kind of tone Harbaugh wants to set - one rooted in toughness, experience, and respect for the game’s defensive greats.
The Giants may not have landed Ryan, but the conversation alone tells us plenty about the mindset of their new head coach - and the kind of edge he’s looking to bring back to Big Blue.