Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick, together again? But this time, perhaps as teammates.
The two bitter NFL coaching rivals could find themselves at least working at the same network this season, as Belichick is reportedly being courted for a job as a TV analyst by both ESPN and Peyton Manning's company, Omaha Productions.
Ryan, former coach of the New York Jets , already works at ESPN on NFL-related studio shows as an analyst. Belichick, who parted ways with the New England Patriots in January after 24 years, is without a coaching job and is looking for a stop-gap season in TV.
According to a Wednesday report in The Athletic, the Patriots' legendary ex-coach is being pursued by several TV networks. One of those is Omaha, which produces the popular Manningcast with brothers and former NFL Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli providing alternative viewing during ESPN's Monday Night Football.
Another legendary coach and longtime Belichick ally, Nick Saban, has already agreed to join ESPN on its Saturday morning College GameDay show. Those two coaches - Saban retired from Alabama the same week Belichick left the Patriots - could also conceivably work alongside each other at the network.
Writes The Athletic: "If Manning were to sign Belichick, the idea of teaming with ESPN to create a Belichick and Nick Saban Manningcast is expected to be broached, according to officials briefed on the plans."
Belichick won six Super Bowls in Foxboro while Ryan lost back-to-back AFC Championships with the Jets in 2009-10. Ryan's Jets went 3-9 against Belichick's Patriots, but did win their only playoff meeting in 2010.
On ESPN last season, Ryan harshly criticized Belichick saying "your team stinks" and imploring him to take a year off from coaching.
Ryan was "seriously considered" for the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator job according to owner Jerry Jones, who ultimately hired Mike Zimmer.
In addition to Omaha, Belichick has reportedly also been in talks for a TV analyst gig at ESPN, NBC and CBS. Details - per Belichick's covert DNA - are sketchy, but one industry insider says the NFL's second all-time winningest coach has told suitors he isn't interested in a weekly obligation.
Though notoriously grumpy and stingy with information to the media, Belichick has past success on TV. He won an Emmy for his work on NFL Films’ NFL 100 All-Time Team series in 2019.
In the meantime, Belichick has a "job" lined up going back to college at Nebraska University where he will be a guest speaker next month.
The 71-year-old interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons job, which eventually went to Raheem Morris.
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