Rob Ryan hasn’t been fired by the Saints, yet
By Josh Hill
The Saints might fire Rob Ryan this week but they haven’t yet made a decision on his future.
After the Saints were trashed by the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon, there were immediate rumors that Rob Ryan was going to be fired and removed as defensive coordinator. These weren’t new rumors, as Sean Payton and Rob Ryan have been at odds seemingly since the coordinator arrived, but their relationship continues to be muddled and confusing.
It was reported on Monday morning that Ryan had been fired, which stuck until NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport came along to state otherwise. In fact, it was Payton himself who shot down the so-called report, as he said in his press conference that Ryan was still a part of the coaching staff and no decision had been made at that point.
#Saints coach Sean Payton says at his presser that “absolutely” Rob Ryan is still a member of his coaching staff. Says he’ll meet with GM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2015
Sean Payton says they won’t continue on the same course. Change is expected, with Rob Ryan still in the crosshairs. But no announcement yet.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2015
This doesn’t mean that Ryan won’t be fired before the end of the Saints bye week, it just means that maybe the right people haven’t signed off on the firing yet.
Ryan’s defense has been gashed week in and week out this season, and a change wouldn’t be the most shocking thing ever. In fact, the idea that he still has a job — and Payton shot down a report about Ryan’s firing — is the most shocking thing that has happened out of all of this.