Rex Ryan and the Jets need to avoid each other at all costs

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate you for giving us a bit of your time.

Rex Ryan is openly pining for another shot with the New York Jets. For the life of me, I cannot believe that is a sentence I just typed in the year 2024.

It’d be one thing for Rex Ryan to want to make a return to the NFL simply. We can understand that, right? He’s a coach. I feel like that coaching itch never quite goes away. I mean, what other job will allow you to yell vulgarities at folks and not lose your job for it? That’s got to feel great.

But nah. That’s not what’s happening here. This man isn’t just trying to come back to the NFL. He’s trying to come back to the Jets. The J-E-T-S Jets, Jets Jets. That team.

I cannot believe this. He made his pitch and, guys, I’m sorry, but are we sure this isn’t AI?

“There’s way too much talent on this team to play the way we’ve been playing. Period. And how hard can you get a guy to play? That’s the thing. Like, nobody’s seen a team gonna play the way as hard as this team’s going to play in the future, trust me. If I’m the guy. Trust me.”

That’s worse than Nick Sirianni’s and all his systems. Rex doesn’t even have the job yet.

Our Charles Curtis says this pitch is brilliant, but I implore you not to listen to him. As a Giants fan, he’s only ever prayed on the Jets’ downfall. He looks down on you, Jets fans. He is not a man who is worried about your well-being.

Neither is Rex Ryan. I have no idea why he’s doing this, but he absolutely needs to knock it off. Stay at ESPN. Go coach somewhere else. Do literally anything else. I don’t even care what it is — just don’t coach the Jets again.

These two sides need to run away from each other as fast as they can. Remember that last chaotic tenure? Ryan only had two winning seasons with the Jets and went 46-50 overall. During his last year there, the team went 4-12 and have only had one winning season since.

Sure, Jets fans, you might have fond memories of going to the AFC Championship game. I love 2010, too. But, remember, there’s also the Butt Fumble.

Nobody needs this stress. Especially not you, Jets fans. This is like your ex asking to get back with you. Yeah, there were good times! You miss those good times badly because you haven’t had a good time in a while.

But let’s be honest — the times were mostly bad. Nobody needs that back. Especially not when Aaron Rodgers is already there.

SPEAKING OF RODGERS: All his friends in New York are losing their jobs because they trust him.

Jason Kelce’s new adventure

Boy, I feel bad for everyone who is tired of this Jason Kelce run. He won’t be leaving your television screens anytime soon.

The former Eagles center is taking on a new challenge: Late-night television.

Kelce appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday night to announce his new late-night show with ESPN, “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce.”

For those old heads who may be wondering, yes, that’s a riff on the old NFL film documentary, “They Call It Pro Football.”

Here’s USA Today’s Chris Bumbaca with details:

“They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce” will air five consecutive Friday nights (technically Saturday mornings at 1 a.m. ET) in January and coincides with the final week of the NFL regular season and the playoffs until Pro Bowl Weekend. The one-hour show will be “an immersive experience,” ESPN says, filmed hours before it airs with hundreds of fans in attendance at the Union Transfer, a Philadelphia concert venue.”

Words cannot explain the incredible journey Jason Kelce has been on. The dude played center in the NFL. How many other centers do you know? Probably not many.

This one made it all the way to late-night television. That’s incredible.

Caitlin Clark NWSL

Caitlin Clark is spreading some love this week to another women’s sports league. No, it’s not that one.

Clark joined the NWSL Cincinnati ownership group, according to the latest from ESPN.

Cincinnati is one of the finalist cities the NWSL is considering to host its 16th franchise. The league is set to make its pick by the end of the year, with Cleveland, Denver, Nashville, and Philadelphia also being considered. Whichever city wins the bid will begin playing in 2026. ESPN says Cincy is a favorite because of the ownership backing and existing infrastructure already in place.

Clark’s addition probably makes the bid even more attractive. Obviously, she won’t be playing. But you’ve got to at least consider her fan base. How many people might pull up to root for Caitlin Clark’s NWSL team?

This will go down to the wire. Can’t wait to see how it ends.

Photo Friday: I love snowy football

Steelers-Browns was a return to the football I remember. Cold. Tough. Snowy. Aesthetically, it looked fantastic.

I’d never go to one of these games, though. Nope. Y’all can have that.

Quick hits: Classy Daniel Jones … Juan Soto rumors … and more

— Daniel Jones gave the Giants a classier goodbye than the team deserves. Robert Zeglinski has more on it.

— Here’s Bryan Kalbrosky with the latest rumors on Juan Soto’s free agency.

— NC State’s attempt at a trick play here has to be one of the worst we’ve ever seen. Cory Woodroof has more.

— Jason Kelce gave us his gift strategy for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Charles Curtis has more.

— Jameis Winston always knows what to say but probably should never say it. Meg Hall has more.

— LOOK AT ALL THIS SNOW.

That’s a wrap, folks. Thanks so much for reading. Have a fantastic weekend. Peace.

-Sykes