Why Rex Ryan is the best choice for Broncos defensive coordinator

The Denver Broncos are still looking to fill out the coaching staff that will work under new head coach Sean Payton and while some names have started to trickle in for some of the position coaches, an offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator has yet to be named.

On Saturday night, Rex Ryan interviewed for the team's defensive coordinator position. He currently works for ESPN and can be seen on Sundays on the network's NFL Countdown show and has stated that he will not leave to get back into coaching unless he can find the perfect situation.

Could that perfect situation be in Denver?

Ryan has not been connected to a coaching gig for many years. It has been six years since his last coaching job, which was as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He is now 67 years old and his time away from the game may cause many to believe he may not be the best fit at this point in time.

But when Ryan was in coaching, he had a style that caught your attention. His defenses when he was defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens were always among the best in the league and that is how he got a head coaching position. Then, as head coach of the New York Jets, he took that team to back-to-back conference championship games.

The reason why Ryan is the best choice for the Broncos right now is because of that style, which includes a no-nonsense attitude. That is what these Broncos need. They don't need any more coaches who are going to coddle them or want to be best friends with them. Ryan is the son of Buddy Ryan, one of the best defensive minds the league has ever seen and he demanded hard work and accountability out of his players.

That is what Rex would do with this defense, which is a talented unit and performed well under Ejiro Evero. Ryan could come in and light even more of a fire under those guys and make it the best defense in the NFL.

So why is Payton considering Ryan? If he's been out of the league as long as he has, why would this head coach want to stir that pot? Perhaps it's because Ryan was the guy that Payton had the most trouble scheming against when they were on opposing sidelines.

We don't know why Payton has an interest but if that was his reason, would that make you feel better about Ryan if he were to get the job? Or would you prefer the team brings Vance Joseph back into the fold?

Aside from Ryan and Joseph, here are some other names that have been mentioned as possibly being the Broncos' new defensive coordinator and their most recent positions.

Sean Desai, Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant

Kris Richard, New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator

Christian Parker, Broncos defensive backs coach

Mike Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings head coach

Ryan would be the biggest splash out of all of them but that's not why the move needs to be made. The move needs to be made because the defense needs that attitude, it needs that no-nonsense motivator to give it an identity.

That is what this defense needs to step up and beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Being away from the game as long as he has, does Ryan have what would be necessary to stop Mahomes from a scheming perspective? That's a fair question to ask, but one that no one else in the league has really had the answer for either.

Ryan may not be the most popular and most likable guy from a fan's perspective, but he is a solid football coach and if Payton believes he's the best guy he can find right now, that notion should be trusted by the fanbase.