Though owner Woody Johnson told a thrilled New York Jets team in their locker room that coach Rex Ryan would be back in 2014, the Jets management doesn't quite feel the love for their coach that the players do.
A ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com report indicated NFL.com's Ian Rappaport and Kim Jones tweeted Monday that the Jets are planning to extend Ryan's contract for just one year, through 2015. ESPN's Rich Cimini added that nothing has been decided yet.
According to The Star-Ledger, the Jets have called a season-ending news conference today at 8 a.m., in which both Ryan and general manager John Idzik will address the media.
The Jets' public relations department went for the instant gratification publicity stunt after the Jets' 20-7 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. It recorded Johnson telling the team in the locker room after the win that Ryan would return for 2015.
The locker room exploded, as if the team had made the playoffs. Players cheered, shouted and hugged Ryan.
A risky move by the Jets' PR if New York does not make the playoffs next season. Media outlets are sure to reproduce the video if Johnson and Idzik end up firing Ryan after next season.
He has a 46-40 record with the Jets, having missed the playoffs for three straight seasons after back-to-back AFC championship game appearances.
But the Jets finished far better than most pundits predicted before the season, grinding out an 8-8 record.
Even with the same scenario looming that he had this year - a win or else ultimatum - Ryan shouldn't have the quarterback drama that he had last offseason when then-rookie Geno Smith was battling veteran Mark Sanchez.
Because of Sanchez's injury, Smith now is the entrenched starter. The Jets now may be able to afford cutting Sanchez if they so choose or signing him to a lesser contract.
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