Rex Ryan 'assuming' he's returning to Bills, said focus on Browns
— -- ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A deflated coach Rex Ryan continued to address reports Monday about his job security, acknowledging speculation about his future but insisting his focus remains on the Buffalo Bills' upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns?on Sunday.
"I'm assuming I'm gonna be the coach [in 2017]," Ryan said Monday. Both CBS Sports and The Buffalo News reported Sunday that Ryan could be fired before the end of the season.
Ryan made it clear that an embattled Tyrod Taylor will remain the Bills' starting quarterback Sunday, one day after the Bills' coach said "we'll see" when asked about whether he would stick with Taylor.
"The reason he's our starting quarterback is because, in my opinion, he gives us the best opportunity to win, and that's what we signed up for. We're trying to win these games. That's my opinion," Ryan said Monday. "I have the final say on who's out there or whatever. That doesn't mean I don't take input, but clearly that's my decision."
Ryan said neither general manager Doug Whaley nor owner Terry Pegula has provided input on who should be the starting quarterback. He added that backup EJ Manuel will remain the team's No. 2 quarterback, and rookie Cardale Jones will stay as the No. 3 quarterback Sunday.
As part of a contract extension signed in August, the Bills must guarantee Taylor about $30 million if he remains on the roster by the fourth day of the 2017 league year, which begins in March. Taylor is also guaranteed a $27.5 million base salary in 2017 if he suffers an injury that prevents him playing next season.
The Bills (6-7) have yet to be eliminated from playoff contention, but they have only a 3 percent chance of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight.com. Ryan's team has now lost five of its past seven games, including a 27-20 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers that dropped Ryan's overall record with Buffalo to 14-15. The recent slide has fueled speculation that he could be fired.
"I'm not signing up for a dismissal," he said Monday. "I think, in sports, you have a lot of people with a lot of opinions. So I get all that. ... Moving forward, it can't be a distraction to our team or anybody else. We just got to do our job and find ways to win. That's where our focus is."
When asked whether he feels like he is on the hot seat, Ryan said: "I really don't know what to feel. I've been in this game a long time. To do the very best job that I can do, I have to focus on what's right in front of me, and that's the Cleveland Browns.
"I'm not gonna think one minute about something that may or may not happen."
