Rex Ryan was never shy about ripping the Patriots, and he isn’t holding back with his former rivals at rock bottom.
Ryan spoke about the spiraling state of the Patriots during Monday’s edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” following another troubling New England loss Sunday to the Raiders.
“This team sucks,” Ryan said. “I’m telling you, they stink. They absolutely stink. Where’s the fight? Where’s the energy? Where’s the passion? I don’t see it.”
Ryan’s co-hosts, amused with the response, let the former Jets head coach speak his mind freely as he never misses an opportunity to have a Patriots hot take.
Due to the lack of success the team has had this season, Belichick’s future with New England is even up for discussion.
But Ryan came to the defense of the seasoned coach.
“I think he’s still getting to their defense,” Ryan said. “I can say it because, look, I believe this team is terrible, I really do. But Belichick is doing a tremendous job, especially on defense. This defense is playing great. They’re not the ones not playing with energy and passion. It’s the other side. I don’t see it.”
New England’s 21-17 loss Sunday was its third consecutive loss.
One reason Ryan may sense a lack of energy is the short leash for quarterback Mac Jones.
The first-round pick in the 2021 draft has not performed to the franchise’s standards and consequently was benched late in the two previous games.
The cherry on top for Ryan’s take is that Belichick lost in Week 6 to Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, his former offensive coordinator.
Belichick also lost to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whom he once drafted then traded away when it became clear Tom Brady was in no hurry to leave New England.
Garoppolo, however, did not finish the game due to a back injury.
With the evidence piling up against the Patriots, it’s not far-fetched for Ryan to claim the team “sucks.”
However, co-host and former Patriots great Tedy Bruschi offered a counterpoint to the harsh criticism.
“Did you see the Jabrill Peppers play? It’s there,” Bruschi said of the Patriots’ intensity, referencing the New England safety’s hit on Davante Adams that led to an interception. “That’s the only life I saw. So, it’s there.”
