Rex Ryan is all but gone as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He’s been on the hot seat since the beginning of the season. Now, at the tail end of yet another miserable season for the Bills and their fans, general manager Doug Whaley’s recent comments are all the evidence we need that Ryan’s tenure in Buffalo is pretty much over.
When asked about Ryan’s future with the organization, Whaley didn’t exactly say, “You’re fired, Rex,” but didn’t endorse him, either.
“Let’s put it this way: None of us know our future,” Whaley told WGR 550. “Look where we are. We owe it to our fans and our owners to keep it focused on Miami, because we’re still in this.”
Technically, the Bills are still in it. With a record of 7-7, Buffalo isn’t completely dead yet (Monty Python “Search for the Holy Grail” I’d like to go for a walk, not dead, if you will).
But let’s be honest, they’re dead. According to the folks at playoffstatus.com, the Bills have a one percent chance of making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the AFC. As things currently stand, the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins are all ahead of Buffalo for that final spot.
There have been rumors that Ryan is already out the door in Buffalo for a few weeks now, but the owner didn’t want to make the move during the season (more on that here).
However, the team hasn’t made any indication about what will happen. Everything has been rumor. This is having an impact in the locker room.
“I can’t even lie, it’s been some chatter around because it’s been all the headline stories around here,” cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman said Thursday. “As a player, [a vote of confidence] settles your mind for the future of what’s coming up when we get back [in the offseason].”
A vote of confidence has certainly not been issued. Whaley’s comments are the furthest thing from it, and everyone in the organization must realize the truth of the situation.
A loss Sunday to the Miami Dolphins at home would be the final nail in the team’s coffin this year as it relates to the postseason. Ryan hasn’t done anything to improve the team’s fortunes since being hired last summer. As such, he’s going to be replaced this offseason. The biggest question at this point is which team will scoop him up as a defensive coordinator for next year.