In essence, Rex Ryan’s ESPN salary will be going to the Bills

Last week, we told you that former Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan was hired at ESPN to become a panelist on Sunday NFL Countdown. Well, it appears that if Ryan stays at the Worldwide Leader for the next three years, he won’t be seeing a pretty penny from his Bristol, CT employer.

Citing a source, Pro Football Talk reports that language in Ryan’s Bills contract applies to other coaching jobs as well as any broadcasting jobs he would gain until it expires in three years. That means that the Bills owners, Terry and Kim Pegula would be getting credit for Ryan’s pay up to his $5.5 million annual salary until 2019. It basically means ESPN’s salary is buying out Ryan’s Bills contract for the next three years.

It’s interesting language, but it also protects the Bills and prevents Ryan from double dipping while the contract is still in force.

But while he probably won’t be making a dime at ESPN, Ryan will be getting plenty of exposure for the entire season. And it also puts him in the spotlight in front of other clubs which may be looking for a coach in the future.

With ESPN about to undergo layoffs of on-air talent, it’s unlikely that the network would pay Ryan more than his Bills annual salary, but you never know. It does allow Ryan to show off his bravado every week during the NFL season and potentially back into coaching down the line.

[Pro Football Talk]