Has anyone had their employment terms extended a few years because your company’s owner expects you’ll do a great job, even though you’ve only been onboard a short time? I didn’t think so.
Well, the New York Jets announced yesterday that Rex Ryan, with just one season as head coach behind him, and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, still looking for a first division title after four years on the job, had their contracts extended two and five years, respectively.
Excuse me, but did I just sleep through the second Super Bowl win in Jets history? Did Ryan and Tannenbaum already fulfill owner Woody Johnson and Jets fans expectations that the team, built to win this season, deliver the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 42 years?
The Jets certainly were impressive late last season, winning five of their last six games and two more in the playoffs before losing the conference title game to Indianapolis. Let’s not forget, however, that a stretch in which they lost six of seven games left them with just a 4-6 record by Thanksgiving.
Ryan has gotten a lot of media attention with his bold statements. He certainly is an interesting character, as we’ll find out on the Hard Knocks TV show this summer. Is he a great NFL coach? It’s hard for most New York sports fans to make that judgment after only one season. Johnson seems to think so already, however, and extended Ryan’s contract.
Tannenbaum has also shown a willingness to shake things up and take some risks with free agent signings, trades and cuts. Some, like the Brett Favre signing, didn’t work out. Most recent actions have been taken to get the team back to a Super Bowl immediately. The Jets haven’t done that yet, but Johnson is already rewarding Tannenbaum with a long-term extension.
Perhaps Jets fans and other New Yorkers would enjoy working for companies with owners like Johnson, who reward high expectations rather than performances. Let’s hope Johnson’s confidence and Ryan and Tannenbaum’s contract extensions are justified with a Jets Super Bowl win.
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