"Rex Ryan reiterated his belief that embattled offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will return to the staff next season, but he then added a caveat. Ryan maintained that Schottenheimer should be a candidate for head coaching positions.

"If he gets a head coaching job, then 'See ya later.' I'll be happy to see that," Ryan said. "Do I expect him back? It's probably 50-50. I think there's an opportunity for him to get a head coaching job."

Schottenheimer has been under fire for the offense's futility through an up-and-down season. He was a candidate for the Jets' head coaching position when Ryan was hired three years ago and remained on staff as a leftover from previous coach Eric Mangini's staff.

On Thursday, Schottenheimer said he expects to be back as well.

"It's out of my control." Schottenheimer said. "I'm an excellent football coach. Have we been inconsistent this year? Absolutely.

"There's things that I clearly could do better. There's things that clearly the unit could do better."

Schottenheimer accepted responsibility for the league's 27th-ranked offense that has averaged 307.7 yards per game.

"If you are going to talk about inconsistencies, I have to own that," Schottenheimer said. "It's our unit's job, our staff's job.""