INDIANAPOLIS — Rex Ryan admitted to losing the Jets locker room after the team missed the playoffs with a disappointing 8-8 season.
“I don’t know if it surprised me when things go wrong it tends to shift a little bit, but I don’t have anything bad to say about those guys,” said defensive end Shaun Ellis, who played for the Jets from 2000-10 before signing with the Patriots this offseason.
At Media Day on Tuesday, Ellis told ESPN.com the Jets showed no loyalty by offering him the veteran’s minimum contract in the offseason. That offer made Ellis’ decision to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with New England easy.
But Thursday, Ellis took a more friendly tone when discussing his former team and said he would consider coming back to New York.
“Yeah, definitely, it’s still a business,” Ellis said as the Patriots prepare to play the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. “It’s something I’d have to consider and make the best decision for me during the offseason. It’s definitely something I’d take a strong look at.”
It would seem unlikely he would be back with the Patriots. Ellis has seen his playing time dwindle as the season has gone on.
“I know this year it didn’t go exactly the way I wanted it to with the limited playing time and things like that,” Ellis said.
Ellis had nothing but positive things to say about Ryan, who has come under fire after the Jets’ tumultuous season
“Rex is a tremendous coach, I had a tremendous time with him regardless of how the situation played out,” Ellis said. “He’s definitely someone that took my career to the next level, getting me to the AFC Championship game and a chance to compete for the Super Bowl.”
But with the Patriots, Ellis will get a chance to actually compete in the Super Bowl.