Rex Ryan is eating a slice of humble pie for breakfast on Sunday morning.
The longtime ESPN analayst and former NewYork Jets head coach was forced to swallow his pride and apologize to the Houston Texans and their fans after Saturday’s 32-12 beatdown over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ryan said Los Angeles would be “on a bye” taking on Houston. Instead, the Bolts’ offense never showed up behind a four-interception afternoon from Justin Herbert.
“My goodness, who had a worse day? Me or Justin Herbert? It’s probably right there,” Ryan said on ESPN’s NFL’s Sunday Countdown. “But you’ve got to tip your hat to them because those guys played their absolute asses off.”
Rex Ryans response to Texans win yesterday. Rex issues apology to Texans. pic.twitter.com/zNqMHLBfcY
— Beer Belly Sports (@BeerBellySport) January 12, 2025
Texans players had their fun with Ryan’s comments throughout the week and postgame. In the locker room following the 20-point victory, Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon posted a live video on his Instagram of him and his teammates calling out the coach while smoking cigars in his honor.
“We smoking on that Rex Ryan bye week pack,” Mixon said in the clip.
Players weren’t the only people dogging Ryan. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg asked analyst Tedy Bruschi who he picked to win the game.
He said the Texans.
Without missing a beat, Ryan quipped in saying, “I think I did, too, didn’t I?”
The Texans players never fell for the trap, so it’s all good fun when looking back. Seeing Ryan embarrassed on national television might have been enough for the fan base, anyway.
“Smokin on that rex ryan pack”-Joe Mixon😈 pic.twitter.com/rxiXv2UfNd
— Cesar (@713SportsCesar) January 12, 2025
“If you guys were going to play like that, I would’ve taken you to win the Super Bowl. I’m seeing in the games going up to it, 1-5 against playoff teams,” Ryans said. “I’m seeing all that … I’m sorry, Houston. I’m not picking you next week, either. Or maybe I will.”
The Texans await the outcome of the Broncos-Bills game to know where they’re playing next week.
