Story by
Rex Ryan reacts to Minkah Fitzpatrick’s viral Jets comments
- Story by
- Rex Ryan reacts to Minkah Fitzpatrick’s viral Jets comments
The New York Jets have spent years trying to put the "Same Old Jets " narrative behind them. One postgame comment from safety Minkah Fitzpatrick brought that familiar criticism back into the conversation, and former head coach Rex Ryan had a strong reaction.
Following Sunday's 38-33 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders , Fitzpatrick was asked about the defensive mistakes that contributed to another disappointing finish.
Advertisement
His response was widely reported as, "Some bad penalties, bad mistakes. Jets being Jets." The comment quickly gained attention, prompting the organization to contact reporters and clarify that Fitzpatrick intended to say "Jets beating the Jets."
Ryan weighed in on the controversy during an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up," where the former Jets coach reacted angrily to Fitzpatrick's remarks. His opinion? If Fitzpatrick did indeed say "Jets being Jets," that isn't the type of attitude he'd like to see from a leader.
Rex Ryan expects more from a player brought in to lead
Ryan's criticism goes beyond the choice of words. During his discussion of the situation on ESPN New York's "DiPietro & Rothenberg" , he questioned whether Fitzpatrick was providing the leadership the organization expected when it acquired him.
Ryan pointed to linebacker Demario Davis as an example of the kind of presence the team needs, then made his expectations clear: "We don't need you to go against us. We need you to build this team up."
Advertisement
Interestingly, Ryan acknowledged that his understanding was that Fitzpatrick meant the Jets were hurting themselves with their own mistakes. Still, he felt the comment came across differently than intended, calling the wording troubling.
The organization's clarification may explain what Fitzpatrick meant, but it doesn't erase the reaction to what initially came out, or what everyone thinks he said. For a franchise still trying to change how it is viewed around the league, even an unintended return to the old narrative can create an unnecessary distraction.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Rex Ryan reacts to Minkah Fitzpatrick's viral Jets comments
