- Antonio Cromartie says Rex Ryan still had the leadership and football IQ to succeed as the Jets’ head coach in 2025.
- Cromartie told “Flight Talk” he believes Ryan could adapt his defense-first approach to modern NFL schemes.
- Ryan interviewed for the Jets’ job last offseason but was not hired; Cromartie says fans will never see that second act.
Former Jet backs Rex Ryan’s potential return
Antonio Cromartie, the former Pro Bowl cornerback, told Jets X-Factor’s “Flight Talk” that he believed Rex Ryan would have thrived if given a second chance as New York’s head coach in 2025.
“Football is football, nothing really changes,” Cromartie said on the show, part of the NFL Alumni Association’s “Gear Up Against Cancer” campaign. “I think he would have done tremendously well… he has an understanding of the game that he can still be himself in this game today.”
You can watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xdskpHbJe9E?si=cYnVjTWoAl4pBFxj
Why fans were divided over a reunion
When Ryan interviewed for the Jets’ head coaching vacancy last offseason, the reaction split the fan base. Many clung to nostalgia for the 2009–10 teams that reached back-to-back playoffs under Ryan. Others questioned whether a coach who last led an NFL sideline a decade ago could adapt to today’s faster, pass-heavy league.
Cromartie acknowledged those concerns but argued that strong fundamentals and schematic knowledge translate across eras. He said Ryan’s leadership and defensive acumen would give him a platform to evolve with modern offenses.
From defense-first to modern schematics
Rex Ryan’s original Jets teams built their identity on aggressive defenses. Since then, the NFL has shifted toward high-powered passing attacks and rapid offensive innovation. Any hypothetical Ryan return would have required adjustments — more emphasis on coverages that handle spread concepts, pace management, and collaboration with offensive staff to modernize the attack.
Cromartie believes Ryan has the football intelligence to make those changes. “When you understand the schematics of it, you can go out and play the thing,” he said. That confidence in Ryan’s adaptability was the foundation of Cromartie’s argument.
What the Jets — and fans — missed
Ryan did not get the job, and the Jets moved forward without him. Cromartie’s comments underscore a recurring theme in New York sports: the tension between nostalgia and the demand for forward-looking strategy. For fans who remember the Ryan-era toughness, Cromartie’s endorsement rekindles ‘what if’ questions about the 2025 season.
Whether nostalgia or practicality won out, the Jets’ decision denied fans and former players alike the chance to see how a modern Rex Ryan would have performed. For Cromartie, the verdict is clear: Ryan still had what it takes to compete.
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