Rex Ryan boldly declares the Bills the winners of the offseason

Rex Ryan isn't shy about making bold statements -- just ask New York Jets fans -- and he was back at it Thursday as his Buffalo Bills wrapped up minicamp.

Ryan declared the Bills the winners of the offseason, and he didn't stop there.

"I can't wait to get the season started," Ryan said, per The Buffalo News. "I'm just telling you right now: forget the vacation. I wish it was shorter. And I mean it. I'm excited about this team. Obviously a lot of things have to happen and we're a month or so away. I told our players today to 'Win July.' We've won the off-season. I would challenge any team. I think we've won the off-season. But we need to win July. That's when everybody is by themselves, on their own but doing the things to be in great shape when we get to camp, let's avoid those injuries we had last year."

Realizing that he just provided some pretty good fodder for the media and the opposition, Ryan added a dose of humor.

"That's one of those things I shouldn't say because they're going to kill me anyway," Ryan added. "But we're on vacation so nobody's going to read it anyway.

Just in case anyone does choose to read it, The Buffalo News noted that the Bills' offseason has included shoulder surgery for first-round pick Shaq Lawson, a broken foot for wideout Sammy Watkins and a heftier midsection for running back Karlos Williams.

But Ryan remains upbeat about the progress he has seen.

The Bills went 8-8 last season in Ryan's first year as their head coach. His last winning season came in 2010 when the New York Jets finished 11-5. Since then, he has finished .500 three times and with a losing record twice.