Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan expressed hope that he would get a chance to face Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots during the 2025 season.

Ryan responded on ESPN to the Patriots’ decision to hire Vrabel as the team’s head coach on Sunday. It happened a week after New England fired Jerod Mayo.

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“Hopefully I can kick this guy to — twice a year,” he said with a smile.

Ryan had interviewed to be the Jets’ head coach and suggested he was the favorite to get the job. He would replace Robert Saleh, who was fired in the middle of the season, and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced Saleh.

“The reason I think I’ll get it is because I’m the best guy for it. It’s not close,” he said, via ESPN. “What you have to do is you have to connect with your football team, you have to connect with your fan base. The way they play is the most important thing. It’s not just the X’s and O’s and all that there.”

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Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a news conference on Dec. 12, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

In addition to showing his confidence, Ryan even offered a pitch — one that took direct aim at quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“Obviously, when you have a guy who doesn’t show up for mandatory minicamp — and he’s your quarterback coming off an injury, by the way — I think that’s a completely ridiculous message you’re sending to the team, ” Ryan said of Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp over the summer for a trip to Egypt.

“If he comes back, things would be different. If he comes back, it’s not going to be country club, show up when the hell you want to show up. It’s not going to happen. I’m just leaving at.”

Jets head coach Rex Ryan speaks to the media after training camp on July 27, 2013 in Cortland, New York. (Rich Barnes-USA Today Sports)

Ryan was 46-50 as the Jets’ head coach and was the last to lead the Jets to the playoffs.