Rex Ryan said the New York Jets "would have loved to have Jason Taylor back" on their defense again this season.
Too bad they released him in February.
Taylor, the long-time Miami Dolphin who was notorious for having a bad relationship with Jets fans for a decade, joined Gang Green last year as a free agent, but the Jets let him go after the season, and he went on to start a third stint in Miami.
The Jets (2-3) and Dolphins (0-4) square off Monday night.
“Jason played great for us last year,” Ryan told the New York media during his Thursday press conference. “He made some huge plays. And I thought Jason was great for this football team, his presence on the field and in the locker room, as well.
“He’s a class act all the way. So I don’t regret signing Jason Taylor here for one second.”
Taylor recorded 36 tackles, five sacks and a safety with the Jets last year. He has three tackles and a sack so far this season.
Ryan called Taylor an “excellent player,” adding that he’s “smart, instinctive and can still rush the passer,” though he didn’t go into any detail about the Jets’ efforts, or lack thereof, to get him signed again.
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