Rex Ryan Fired By New York Jets- San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons Next Team For NFL Coach?

The New York Jets have fired Rex Ryan. The controversial head coach had already reportedly cleaned out his desk, and Jets owner Woody Johnson today obliged both Rex and General Manager John Idzik by parting ways with the pair. This year the Jets went 4-12, the worst record the team has posted since 2007, and once again missed the NFL playoffs making it their fourth season in a row without postseason action. The Jets have hired two former NFL GMs - Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf - to oversee their new hires, while speculation is mounting that Rex Ryan could head to the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders or Chicago Bears. Rex finishes with a 46-50 record as Jets head coach.

Jets announced GM John Idzik and HC Rex Ryan have been fired.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2014

Johnson, reports ESPN, released a statement saying that "Both Rex and John made significant contributions to the team, and they have my appreciation and gratitude for their efforts and commitment. Over the years, Rex brought the Jets a bold confidence and a couple of great postseason runs, which all of us will remember."

He went on, saying: "We will consider all options to improve the Jets. Getting the Jets back on track is my top priority, and today's decisions are important steps towards achieving our goals."

Rex had the Jets playing a dominant, effective defensive in his years with the Jets:

#Jets defensive ranks in six years under Rex Ryan: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 11th, 6th.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 29, 2014

leading to speculation he could take a defensive coordinator role with a team next year. But, says ESPN's Adam Scheffer, "Rex Ryan is not going to be a defensive coordinator next year."

It's a sentiment echoed by CBS Sports Josh Katzowitz, who says that Rex "has no interest" in a defensive coordinator role, adding that "if he can't find a job as a head coach -- and it seems like teams with openings should explore the idea of hiring Ryan -- landing a job as a TV analyst seems like a perfect match."

As for other teams where Rex could end up, each of the Atlanta Falcons, who just fired head coach Mike Smith; the San Francisco 49ers, who parted ways with Jim Harbaugh; the Oakland Raiders not sticking with interim coach Tony Sparano; and the Chicago Bears who have ousted Marc Trestman, could be in play.

Either way, as Fox Sports's Jay Glazer says:

Rex Ryan, we are calling it being fired, it's more like being set free.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 29, 2014