Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are defensive coaches by birthright. Their father, Buddy Ryan, was the defensive coordinator of the majestic ’85 Bears defense. And Rex has shown on numerous occasions as a head coach and defensive coordinator that he knows defense.
Every defensive player he’s ever coach up to the 2015 season has always sworn by Ryan. But during the 2015 season, Mario Williams, a great defensive player himself, criticized Ryan’s defense. And now, the Bills are up against the salary cap with Williams coming off a season in which he had only five sacks.
Perhaps Williams’ criticism of Ryan was to excuse his poor season with the big contract he’s under. Players that sign a big contract and have a bad year while playing under it often get released. And Williams, knowing that, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson on Wednesday that he would be willing to take a “pay cut” to stay in town.
But it was under the pretext of meeting him “halfway” in terms of adjusting Rex’s scheme. Williams is claiming he didn’t produce too much because he didn’t rush the passer enough last season. When you have a $19.9 million salary-cap number and are due $14 million in 2016, you do have some explaining to do for just five sacks.
And with the way Williams criticized Ryan publicly, Ryan likely wants to just move on from Williams. He’s sensitive about his defense, not enjoying it much when asked about it at the combine.
Ryan said while rolling his eyes, “We were terrible and I can’t coach defense anymore for some reason.”
Williams is likely done in Buffalo!