Rex Ryan will return as head coach of the New York Jets after having a better than expected season.

Ryan has one season remaining on his contract worth about $3 million annually.

"I love being the head coach of the New York Jets, plain and simple," Ryan said. "I never wanted to go out this way, another losing season or something like that."

The Jets finished 8-8 despite having a roster devoid of Pro Bowl players.

The atmosphere surrounding the tenure of Rex Ryan as head coach of the New York Jets has turned from negative to positive, enough so to suggest that he will be retained.

Ryan's support from first-year general manager John Idzik has been questioned, but the two have managed to build a better relationship than expected.

It is unclear, however, if Ryan will enter next season on the last year of his contract or whether the Jets will give him an extension.

Ryan would prefer an extension.

The NFL announced the rosters for the 2014 Pro Bowl, which is "Unconferenced" for the the first time.

Offense

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots; Drew Brees, Saints; Peyton Manning, Broncos; Cam Newton, Panthers; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Russell Wilson, Seahawks.

Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dez Bryant, Cowboys; Josh Gordon, Browns; A.J. Green, Bengals; Andre Johnson, Texans; Calvin Johnson, Lions; Brandon Marshall, Bears; Demaryius Thomas, Broncos.

Tackle: Branden Albert, Chiefs; Jason Peters, Eagles; Tyron Smith, Cowboys; Joe Staley, 49ers; Joe Thomas, Browns; Trent Williams, Redskins.

Guard: Jahri Evans, Saints; Ben Grubbs, Saints; Mike Iupati, 49ers; Logan Mankins, Patriots; Louis Vasquez, Broncos; Marshal Yanda, Ravens.

Center: Ryan Kalil, Panthers; Alex Mack, Browns; Mike Pouncey, Dolphins; Max Unger, Seahawks.

Tight end: Jordan Cameron, Browns; Vernon Davis, 49ers; Jimmy Graham, Saints; Julius Thomas, Broncos.

Running back: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; Matt Forte, Bears; Frank Gore, 49ers; Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Adrian Peterson, Vikings.

Fullback: Marcel Reece, Raiders; Mike Tolbert, Panthers.

Defense

Defensive end: Greg Hardy, Panthers; Cameron Jordan, Saints; Robert Quinn, Rams; Cameron Wake, Dolphins; J.J. Watt, Texans; Mario Williams, Bills.

Interior lineman: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers; Haloti Ngata, Ravens; Dontari Poe, Chiefs; Justin Smith, 49ers; Ndamukong Suh, Lions; Kyle Williams, Bills.

Outside linebacker: John Abraham, Cardinals; Ahmad Brooks, 49ers; Tamba Hali, Chiefs; Justin Houston, Chiefs; Robert Mathis, Colts; Terrell Suggs, Ravens.

Inside/middle linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers; Vontaze Burfict, Bengals; Luke Kuechly, Panthers; Patrick Willis, 49ers.

Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Chiefs; Brent Grimes, Dolphins; Joe Haden, Browns; Patrick Peterson, Cardinals; Darrelle Revis, Buccaneers; Richard Sherman, Seahawks; Aqib Talib, Patriots; Alterraun Verner, Titans.

Free safety: Jairus Byrd, Bills; Earl Thomas, Seahawks; Eric Weddle, Chargers.

Strong safety: Eric Berry, Chiefs; Kam Chancellor, Seahawks; Troy Polamalu, Steelers.

Special Teams

Punter: Brandon Fields, Dolphins; Johnny Hekker, Rams.

Placekicker: Matt Prater, Broncos; Justin Tucker, Ravens.

Punt returner: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dexter McCluster, Chiefs.

Special teamer: Justin Bethel, Cardinals; Matthew Slater, Patriots.

The official Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Friday, but Pro Football Focus offered their picks on Thursday.

Offense

Quarterback: Peyton Manning (DEN) and Philip Rivers (SD)

Backups: Russell Wilson (SEA), Drew Brees (NO), Matthew Stafford (DET) and Tom Brady (NE)

Running Back: LeSean McCoy (PHI) and Jamaal Charles (KC)

Backups: Eddie Lacy (GB), DeMarco Murray (DAL), Adrian Peterson (MIN) and Marshawn Lynch (SEA)

Full Back: Anthony Sherman (KC) and Mike Tolbert (CAR)

Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown (PIT), Calvin Johnson (DET), Brandon Marshall (CHI) and Andre Johnson (HOU)

Backups: DeSean Jackson (PHI), Alshon Jeffrey (CHI), Jordy Nelson (GB) and Josh Gordon (CLE)

Tight End: Jimmy Graham (NO) and Vernon Davis (SF)

Backups: Jason Witten (DAL) and Tony Gonzalez (ATL)

Defensive End: Robert Quinn (SL), J.J. Watt (HOU), Calais Campbell (ARZ) and Cameron Jordan (NO)

Backups: Greg Hardy (CAR) and Cameron Wake (MIA)

Defensive Tackle: Gerald McCoy (TB), Ndamukong Suh (DET), Jurrell Casey (TEN) and Kyle Williams (BUF)

Backups: Dontari Poe (KC) and Marcell Dareus (BUF)

Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman (SF) and Patrick Willis (SF)

Backups: Derrick Johnson (KC) and Karlos Dansby (ARZ)

Outside Linebacker: Lavonte David (TB), Justin Houston (KC), Robert Mathis (IND) and Vontaze Burfict (CIN)

Backups: Brian Orakpo (WAS) and Thomas Davis (CAR)

Cornerback: Darrelle Revis (TB), Brent Grimes (MIA), Richard Sherman (SEA) and Patrick Peterson (ARZ)

Backups: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DEN), Keenan Lewis (NO), Vontae Davis (IND) and Joe Haden (CLE)

Strong Safety: Eric Berry (KC) and T.J. Ward (CLE)

Free Safety: Devin McCourty (NE) and Earl Thomas (SEA)

Special Teams

Kicker: Nick Folk (NYJ) and Justin Tucker (BAL)

Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson (MIN) and Golden Tate (SEA)

Punter: Shane Lechler (HOU) and Johnny Hekker (SL)

Special Teamer: Justin Bethel (ARZ) and Jeremy Lane (SEA)

Santonio Holmes is willing to take another reduction in pay this offseason to remain with the New York Jets

Holmes dropped his salary by $3.5 million to $7.5 million for 2013.

“Anything for the team,” Holmes said when asked about a pay cut. “Anything for the team.”

But Holmes is almost certainly not going to remain on the Jets next season because they can save $8.25 million in cap space if he's cut.

The New York Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, but have been competitive and Rex Ryan wants to return next season.

“I know I'm a good football coach," Ryan said Monday. "I believe in this team, I believe in this organization. I'm determined to bring a winner to this team, there's no question about it. I know and I believe I'm the right guy for it. Again, I'm not the guy making that decision. If I was, it'd be easy.”

Even though Ryan led the Jets to the AFC Championship game in two separate seasons with Mark Sanchez at quarterback, it can be argued this has been his best season as coach due to their rebuilding efforts.

Geno Smith believes his improved play is due to playing looser.

Smith completed 60 percent of his passes last week for the first time since late October.

"I think I'd kind of gotten to this zone where I just tried to be way too perfect," Smith said. "... You're not a robot out there, and at times I was playing like a robot. I was dropping back, five (step) hitch and throwing it. I know that's the way it's drawn up in the game plan and the way it's supposed to be run, but everything isn't ideal on the field. Sometimes you have to improvise."

Sheldon Richardson is a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate as the 13th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Richardson believes he would go much higher if there was a re-do of the draft.

"Probably No. 1, most likely," Richardson said. "Kansas City? Yeah. I went into the draft thinking I'd be the No. 1 pick. I had a shot."

The Jets selected Richardson over fellow defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.