The city of Buffalo just got a whole lot less sexier. Head coach Rex Ryan has been relieved of his duties by the Bills one game before the end of his second season in Buffalo. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, who has headed up the league’s best rushing offense this season, will coach the 2016 finale Sunday against the Jets.
Ryan posted a 15-16 record during his time with the Bills, following up an 8-8 season with a 7-8 mark this year. Buffalo started 4-2 but has limped to the finish, losing six of its last nine. The final nail in the coffin was a 34-31 overtime defeat to the playoff-bound Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
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And when one Ryan bro gets the axe, the other one usually isn’t far behind:
Not you too, Wolfman Rob! Rex’s twin brother was brought in last summer to turn around a defense that had regressed in Rex’s first season in Buffalo. But the Bills are on pace to finish 19th in total defense, the exact same place as 2015.
At the very least, the Bills front office was kind enough to release Rex and Rob from their coaching responsibilities before New Year’s Eve. Those boys are gonna get shitfaced!
Meanwhile, the organization is doing everything it can to rid themselves of starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s salary for next season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
”Bills are planning to bench QB Tyrod Taylor vs Jets on Sunday to start EJ Manuel, per league sources. This is a business decision so the Bills are not at risk for the $30.75 million left on his contract that would become guaranteed if Taylor suffered a significant injury. A week after the Titans lost Marcus Mariota and the Raiders lost Derek Carr, the Bills are not planning to take any chances with Taylor; thus EJ Manuel is now expected to start the regular-season finale against the Jets”
Woo boy, that final game is going to be a real barnburner. Jets vs. Bills: May the less-depressing team win! Or maybe the less-depressing team should lose to improve their draft position! Eh, who cares either way?