Sean Payton, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach, is reportedly close to bringing a former Super Tony Gonzalez Jersey Bowl-winning a sistant coach to Denver. Rex Ryan, whose coaching career includes winning a Super Bowl ring as the ' defensive line coach, has emerged as the top candidate to fill the ' current defensive coordinator vacancy, .Ryan would be part of Payton's new staff in Denver after the latter was recently named the team's new head coach. Ryan, who for the past several years has served as an ESPN analyst, has not coached in the NFL since 2016, when he was fired near the end of his second season as the ' head coach. Ryan interviewed for the position on Saturday, Feb. 18, according to . That report also notes that Ryan would only leave the network "for the perfect situation."The son of former NFL head coach and Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, Rex Ryan went 61-66 during his eight seasons as a head coach with the and Bills. He went 4-2 in the playoffs with the Jets that included back-to-back AFC title game appearances.Prior to becoming a head coach, Ryan enjoyed a succe sful 10-year run with the Ravens that included four seasons as defensive coordinator. During his final year in Baltimore, Ryan's defense -- which was led by future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed along with future Defensive Duron Harmon Jersey Player of the Year -- finished third in the NFL in scoring, second in pa sing yards allowed, third in rushing yards allowed, third in third-down efficiency and second in red zone efficiency. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Marlon Davidson Jersey Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Ryan continued to lead talented defenses in New York. The 2009 Jets defense led the league in points and pa sing yards allowed as well as in third-down efficiency. Led by 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Davis Jersey , the Jets finished sixth in the league in scoring defense the following season while helping New York make a return trip to the AFC title game.Along with leading tough defenses, Ryan is also known for his colorful and boisterous personality. He had more than a few memorable moments when the Jets were the subject of HBO's "Hard Knocks" in 2010. His is one of the most memorable moments in "Hard Knocks" history.If given the job, Ryan would preside over a Broncos defense that this past season finished 14th in the league in scoring, 12th in pa sing, 10th in rushing, second in third-down efficiency and second in red zone efficiency. The Broncos, who traded Pro Bowler before the deadline, were led defensively by defensive backs and , defensive end and linebacker . Denver's lack of offensive succe s didn't do its defense any favors last season, as the Broncos finished dead last in the league in scoring. That futility was one of the reasons why the Broncos hired Payton, an offensive mind who won a Super Bowl in New Richie Grant Jersey Orleans on the strength of a prolific offense.