Rex Ryan Will Be Part of ESPN’s Super Bowl Coverage

Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan is joining ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage.

When the Buffalo Bills fired Rex Ryan in December, four sports TV networks (CBS, ESPN, Fox and NFL Network) reached out almost immediately to persuade the former coach to take his act to television.

Ryan opted for ESPN, signing a deal to appear on “NFL Sunday Countdown” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Super Bowl Sunday.

I’m interested to see how good he is on TV. A lot of people think he’ll be great because of his personality. I’m not totally convinced on that. These things are very hit and miss. Some guys you think will be great because they’re outspoken can’t translate it to a studio show setting. Rex also wants people to like him so will he be critical where necessary?

Where I’m interested isn’t so much with his personality but what he can bring to the table in terms of the nuts and bolts. Rex has one of the most interesting X’s and O’s minds. I think if he has success, it might be more due to substance, and breaking down the complicated parts of the game.

It remains to be seen whether this will be a permanent arrangement. A decade ago Bill Cowher took a Super Bowl guest gig on CBS’ Super Bowl coverage and did so well that the network brought him into their pregame show.