Rob Ryan is back in the NFL after a three-year hiatus. The longtime defensive coordinator has just been named the Washington Redskins inside linebackers coach.
#Redskins hire Rob Ryan as inside linebackers coach.
» https://t.co/7LfZpGKlU6 pic.twitter.com/9msMaobiLz
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 30, 2019
This hiring is seemingly completely out of left field. Ryan has not been bandied about on the coaching circuit since the end of the regular season.
He last acted as the New Orleans Saints’ defensive coordinator from 2013-15. Prior to that, Ryan served in the same capacity with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.
Once considered a potential head coach — like his brother Rex — Ryan has struggled in recent years. His Saints ranked 31st in total defense in each of his final two seasons with the team.
At the very least, Washington gets an experienced man to coach its linebackers. In a vacuum, that’s not a bad thing.