Ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan is entering Year 2 with the Bills.

And if he doesn't make the playoffs this season, coming off an 8-8 debut year, he likely will be fired.

Jim Kelly, the legendary former Bills quarterback, said as much Thursday on Jim Rome's radio show.

"I think we need to do it [make the playoffs]," said Kelly, who is friendly with Ryan. "I think we have to do it. If we don't, I think Rex will probably be looking for another job. I think everybody knows that, including Rex. We have the nucleus to get it done.

"On paper, we look great, and we should be a very good team. But you cannot go to the playoffs, you can't win championships, when you're spending most of your time in the training room [with injuries]. You've got to stay healthy. Our key guys have got to stay healthy."

Ryan hasn't made the playoffs since 2010 with the Jets, when he reached his second straight AFC Championship Game. He missed the playoffs from 2011-14 with the Jets, and then again last season with the Bills.

It has been a steep drop-off for Ryan, who reached the AFC title game in his first two seasons with the Jets, which also were his first two seasons as a head coach.

The Bills haven't reached the playoffs since 1999. They have the NFL's longest current playoff appearance drought. They haven't won a playoff game since 1995. (They have gone one-and-done in their three trips since.) Buffalo owns the NFL's third-longest active playoff victory drought.

The Bills went 9-7 under Doug Marrone the year before Ryan arrived.

Here is Kelly's full interview with Rome:

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.