Skip to main content

Jets coach Rex Ryan: 'Fire John Idzik' talk unfair

Jets head coach Rex Ryan said is unfair to blame the team's struggles on one person, specifically embattled general mangaer John Idzik. 
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

New York Jets fans in recent days have showed their disgust for the team's direction buying billboards around MetLife Stadium, hiring planes to fly “Fire John Idzik” banners while the team practices and creating websites to call for Idzik to get canned.

The Jets have lost their last eight games, and coach Rex Rex said he understands that fans are frustrated. But he doesn't feel it is fair to place the blame solely on Idzik or any one person. 

From Pro Football Talk:

“I recognize the fans are in pain,” Ryan said. “But to place it on one person, I don’t think it’s fair.”

Obviously, we’re very frustrated. Everybody is. We want to win and all that type of stuff. I personally don’t think it’s appropriate. I’ll say this, we’re working our butts off. John, everybody, is working their butts off to find a way to win.”

The FireJohnIdzik.com website created by fans was put together “to rid the organization of our clown GM,” and says fans “will no longer put up with John Idzik running the show.”

Fantasy Midseason Surprises: Luck's success, McCoy's pedestrian stats

Idzik was hired by the Jets in January 2013 after spending five years in the Seattle Seahawks organization. 

Ryan, who has 43-46 record in five plus seasons as the Jets head coach, said fans have the right to voice their opinions on the team's performance anyway they please.

“The fans, I will never, ever say that the fans don’t have a right to do whatever they want,” Ryan said, according to Pro Football Talk. “They absolutely do. They have a right to their opinions and everything else. Do they have the right to buy a billboard? Absolutely. They have a right for everything. I just think when you look at the big picture, this isn’t about one man falling short."

The Jets (1-8) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at home on Sunday.

- Scooby Axson