New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said he plans to phone Doug Marrone to gauge the interest of the former Buffalo Bills’ coach in replacing Rex Ryan.

Ryan was fired Monday along with general manager John Idzik. Marrone exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and resigned as head coach of the Bills on Friday.

“I just found out Doug Marrone is available. We will look at him,” Johnson told the New York Daily News. “He is a coach who was with us. And I know him a little bit.”

Marrone was the Jets’ offensive line coach from 2002 through 2005.

“This is pretty good news,” Johnson said. “I was shocked. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Doug, and I have good memories of him.”

Marrone had the clause written into his four-year, $16 million contract to protect him in the event that owner Ralph Wilson passed way. Wilson died on March 25, so the clause became active when the season ended. His three-day option would have expired at midnight Wednesday.

The terms of the contract will result in Marrone being paid his $4 million salary in 2015 with no offset should he find another job. It is believed Marrone was trying to get a contract extension during the three-day window. Players who met with Marrone on Monday voiced shock and said there was no indication from their coach that he was leaving.

At his postseason press conference Monday, Marrone was asked about the clause, and he said, “I will tell you this — and my background has been the same and you guys can look into it — I do not discuss my contract and that’s my rule. I never have and never will.”

Marrone led the Bills to a 9-7 record in his second season with the team. Following the team’s first winning season since 2004, he posted an overall record of 15-17 with the Bills. In four previous seasons as head coach at Syracuse, his record was 25-23.

The Bills are seeking their fifth head coach in seven years.