Buffalo Bills

Was Rex Ryan left out of players-owners meeting before firing OC Greg Roman?

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:13 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

After losing to the New York Jets, 37-31, on Thursday night, the Buffalo Bills made a change to their coaching staff. Despite leading the league in rushing last season and putting up 31 points on a strong Jets defense, the Bills fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Friday, a move that was somewhat surprising and sudden.

What came as an even bigger surprise is how the team’s owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, handled the firing. According to Ian Rapoport, the Pegulas held a meeting with key offensive players before firing Roman. This wouldn’t be completely shocking had Rex Ryan been in the room. Only, he reportedly wasn’t present.

By no means is this a good sign for Ryan’s future in Buffalo. The team reportedly isn’t considering further changes to the coaching staff, but it’s clear Ryan is on the hot seat after just two games. It’s unusual for a coach to be absent from an owners-players meeting that leads to a firing.

Of course, it was Ryan’s decision to cut ties with Roman, as he stated publicly. But you’d assume he’d be in a meeting with his players and the owners of the team. Alas, it appears he was not, and that he was understandably upset about the Pegulas’ decision to exclude him from the discussion.

Ryan and the Bills need to win a handful of games in a hurry if he hopes to retain his job going forward. Otherwise, he could be the next to go.

#Bills coach Rex Ryan was not happy, I’m told, when he learned of owner-player meetings. He said publicly it was his decision to fire Roman.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2016