Hours before the Buffalo Bills defeated the winless Browns to improve to 7-7 on Sunday, league sources said Rex Ryan is probably approaching his final games as the Bills' head coach.
Ryan is aware of what's ahead, sources said, which creates an awkward situation surrounding the Bills until the change is made.
"I don't know what my future holds," Ryan said after the game. "I just know that I'm gonna get this team ready to play on Saturday, on Christmas Eve, and I'm excited about that."
Then, asked to specifically comment on the accuracy of this report, he said, "Trust me, that one's definitely not accurate. So I don't know where some of these things come in. I'm absolutely not aware [of my fate]."
Ryan didn't specifically address whether he had asked Bills owner Terry Pegula about the decision or whether the coach knows where he stands, but he acknowledged that ownership might know his future beyond this season.
"Absolutely," he said. "I talk to my owners all the time. In fact, on Saturday, we went in to discuss our game plan like we always do. I talk to them all the time."
Ryan also said Sunday he's not worried about getting a public display of support from Pegula about his future job status.
"What am I going to say? Of course, you appreciate that, but it's not necessary," Ryan said. "That's how I look at it. I just want to go. I'm gonna go beat Miami. We owe them that, and they're going to get the very best we have."
While Buffalo is preparing to part ways with Ryan, the organization is expected to retain general manager Doug Whaley, who is expected to be given a chance to hire his third head coach after having a hand in the hiring of Ryan and former Bills coach Doug Marrone.
The Bills defeated the Browns 33-13 on Sunday to snap a two-game losing streak, but they remain in jeopardy of extending the NFL's longest active playoff drought to 17 seasons. The Bills had lost five of their past seven games entering Sunday's game.
Ryan, in the second year of a five-year deal, was hired by the Bills after being fired by the New York Jets following the 2014 season.