Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is expected to stay in the state of New York and fill the head coaching vacancy in Buffalo.
Multiple sources have told ESPN that the Buffalo Bills brought Ryan in for a second interview on Saturday and are in the midst of finalizing a five-year deal.
The Bills job seems like a no-brainer for the defensive-minded coach. It would give him the opportunity to face his old team twice a year and compete with the Jets in the AFC East standings. However, the New York Daily News noted that sources have said Buffalo was not his first choice, it was actually Atlanta.
The Falcons previously interviewed Ryan for five hours and that reportedly went well, but no plans were ever made to bring him back to meet with team owner Arthur Blank again. Their first meeting was cut short because Blank had to leave to be with his ill mother, who passed away last week.
That left the door open for a Buffalo team that had interviewed a dozen coaching candidates since second-year man Doug Marrone opted out his contact on Dec. 31st.
The two sides are now said to be working on a deal that is worth around $27.5 million.
To have the outspoken coach remain in the AFC East could make the division matchups even more entertaining next season.