It was the kind of decision no head coach wants to make, but it was clear in Rex Ryan's mind that moving Anthony Lynn into the offensive coordinator role after just two games was what was best for the functionality of the offense over the final 14 games of the 2016 regular season.
"I had met with Greg (Roman) this morning and we agreed to part ways and I'm naming Anthony Lynn as our offensive coordinator. I'd like to say first that I appreciate Greg Roman. The job he did for us… I always thought he was a tremendous coach and I still believe that. But this is a decision that I think moving forward is going to help our team and that's the reason why I made that decision."
With the team afforded three extra days before their Week 3 game against Arizona, Ryan thought it beneficial to make this change now.
Ryan, who meets with owners Terry and Kim Pegula after every game, explained how the decision was finalized.
"After every single game I meet with ownership and this morning I met and I informed ownership of my decision and they were supportive of it," said Ryan of the Pegulas. "And that's when I had the conversation with Greg."
It was clear that Ryan was contemplating this move after the loss Thursday night. Whether he gave it any thought prior to that only Ryan himself knows. What is clear is the inability to maximize the major weapons in the Buffalo offense was an issue.
"I know the kind of coach Anthony is," said Ryan. "I know the kind of person he is and I think the direction that he can take us, I think we need to change. I think we have a lot of talent on offense. I believe that and I believe we're going to do what we can to put the ball in our playmakers' hands and I think Anthony can do that."
Ryan doesn't anticipate any major changes with respect to the offensive system. Scrapping one offensive scheme that you've been installing the entire offseason for another in the throes of a season is unrealistic. It will be more a matter of the choices Lynn makes in terms of what to put in a game plan and what to call in given situations on game day.
"It's not going to be a drastic change based on the verbiage you have and everything else," said Ryan. "We'll carry some of the verbiage things that we already have in place. It'll be more about just how we do things. We'll come up with a good plan."
Buffalo's offense faces a daunting challenge in the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. The number five defense in the league overall last season, they were sixth against the run, eighth against the pass, eighth in third down defense and seventh in points allowed.
"We have 14 weeks left in the regular season and we have to make big strides, not just on offense, but on defense as well," said Ryan. "The first game out of the box we're playing the Arizona Cardinals that definitely has one of the top defenses in the league so it's going to be a huge challenge and we'll see how it goes. But I believe we will make improvements. I wouldn't have made this move if I didn't think we would be better offensively and better as a team. I just know we have to have results and I'm responsible for that. I understand it."
Ryan's confidence is rooted in his belief in Lynn as a coach. Though it will be the first time Lynn serves in the coordinator role, Ryan has supreme faith that he will improve their execution on offense.
"He can coach them all," said Ryan of Lynn. "He can coach the superstar player, the rookie undrafted free agent. He commands respect. He's got the respect of the entire locker room. He's a smart guy, an 'X' and 'O's guy, a former world champion as a player. He comes from great stock. He's been under Bill Parcells. But this guy is an outstanding coach and I'm excited to see him get this opportunity. I think he's going to do a great job."
