Rex Ryan has returned to the Jets — for an interview, at least.

The 62-year-old former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst, who led the franchise to its last playoff appearance to cap the 2010 season, met with the team Tuesday about its head coaching vacancy.

Ryan went 50-52, including 4-2 in the playoffs, in six years with the Jets before being fired after the 2014 season. He has lobbied openly for the job during recent TV and radio appearances and said Monday on ESPN New York radio that he’s the perfect candidate and expected to be hired.

“Oh, 100%, absolutely, I do,” he said. “The reason I think I’m going to get it is because I’m the best guy for it. It ain’t close.”

Ryan is the third known candidate to interview with owner Woody Johnson and other team brass for the coaching job. The Jets also met with former Titans coach Mike Vrabel and former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera last week. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who went 3-9 after replacing the fired Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, said he also will interview for the job.

The team also is searching for a GM after firing Joe Douglas in November.

Ryan is an intriguing candidate for the Jets’ coaching job because he has previous history with Johnson and the franchise. He was also one of the team’s most popular figures, especially during his first few seasons as coach, because of his brash, colorful approach in news conferences.

Ryan also won games. But the Jets couldn’t maintain that early success and missed the postseason during Ryan’s last four seasons.

After he was fired by the Jets, Ryan coached the Bills. He didn’t make it through his second season there. Ryan has been out of coaching since, serving as a TV analyst.

Perhaps the first major decision the new coach and GM will need to make for the Jets will be the future of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who’s uncertain about returning for a 21st NFL season.

Ryan said during his appearance on ESPN New York radio that if he gets the Jets job and Rodgers returns, he would change some things around the facility.

“When you have a guy that doesn’t show up for mandatory minicamp — and ... he’s your quarterback coming off an injury — I think that’s an absolutely ridiculous message you send to the team,” Ryan said. “... If he’s back, it ain’t gonna be the country club, show up whenever the hell you want to show up.”

Carthon out as Titans GM: The Titans fired GM Ran Carthon after just two seasons on the job and a 9-25 record.

The Titans introduced Carthon as the franchise’s first Black GM in January 2023, and he helped the franchise hire a new coach in Brian Callahan a year later. Callahan will remain the head coach.

The Titans went 3-14 this season and have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Lions’ Montgomery looks good to return: Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he expects running back David Montgomery to be ready for the NFC divisional round.

The Lions are the No. 1 seed, so they have this week off.

Montgomery suffered an MCL injury during a Week 15 loss to the Bills and missed the last three games.

Chargers sign Elliott as backup RB: The playoff-bound Chargers signed former All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad Tuesday.

The Cowboys had waived the 29-year-old to give him a shot at joining a playoff team.