Rex Ryan Jokes That Bengals Can’t Afford Him After Latest Defensive Collapse

Former Jets coach Rex Ryan will not join the Bengals as their defensive coordinator.

Rex Ryan Jokes That Bengals Can’t Afford Him After Latest Defensive Collapse

Rex Ryan and Zac Taylor (Image via IMAGO)

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The Cincinnati Bengals should forget about approaching Rex Ryan to fix their defensive struggles. Ryan isn’t interested in the job.

It would be unproductive to fault Ryan for his lack of interest in the Bengals’ defensive coordinator position. The AFC North franchise consistently ranks in the bottom two of every metric in 2025. NFL teams average 420+ yards against them and 3.7 touchdowns per game.

Last week, the Bengals’ defense allowed 576 total yards from the struggling Chicago Bears. Despite the close outcome, the Bengals’ defense was unable to prevent Caleb Williams from securing the winning points at Paycor Stadium.

Moreover, the Bengals traded Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson led all the Bengals linebackers with 541 tackles, 11 interceptions, and 5.5 sacks. All they received in return was a seventh-round draft pick.

A frustrated Ryan channeled his anger toward the Bengals’ front office during a recent segment of ESPN’s Get Up.

This is last year, also. And they got rid of a highly respected defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo. So who are you going to bring in there? Buddy Ryan? Bill Belichick? [or] Me? — you ain’t gonna afford me… You bring in a college guy, and this happens to you. So the team has no confidence right now. Zero. You’d better rally this thing together.

the former New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, said

It’s unclear what Ryan’s asking price would be, but he could have been a solid addition to the coaching team in Cincy. Unfortunately, he is unwilling to take the job even if it’s offered to him on a silver platter.

The Bengals retained Trey Hendrickson

One of the biggest storylines before the 2025 campaign was the potential trade of All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The 30-year-old is arguably the Bengals’ best player on defense, racking up 64 sacks since joining them in 2021.

Rex Ryan Jokes That Bengals Can’t Afford Him After Latest Defensive Collapse (2)
Trey Hendrickson and Zac Taylor (Image via IMAGO)

As he’s in the final year of his contract, Hendrickson requested a trade in the offseason. The Bengals fended off any and every team that approached the front office for his services.

FOX Sports’ NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Bengals have no interest in trading the ex-Florida Atlantic man.

The [Cincinnati Bengals] organization and ownership are fully prepared to move forward and attempt to negotiate a deal with him. I don’t believe they want to trade him at all…  After talking to multiple people involved, they have now reached a conclusion that a trade is really off the table.

However, days before the November 4 trade deadline, the Cowboys showed interest in a trade. The Bengals offered linebacker Logan Wilson, who also requested a trade. Jerry Jones accepted the offer by sending a seventh-round pick to Cincy for Wilson.

It is a tiresome situation in Cincy. This will take years or a good draft and a couple of free agent signings to fix. For now, Taylor’s Bengals are 3-6 and in third place in the AFC North.

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