Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left the team to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, leaving behind a struggling defense in Dallas. The Cowboys currently rank among the worst defenses in the NFL, with poor rankings in scoring, total yardage allowed, and rushing yardage allowed. Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan believes he could have fixed the Cowboys’ defense quickly if given the opportunity, but claims they did not offer him enough money to join the team as defensive coordinator. Despite being out of coaching since 2016, Ryan was reportedly interviewed for the position in the offseason.
Instead of hiring Rex Ryan, the Cowboys chose to bring in Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator. Zimmer, who previously coached the Minnesota Vikings, has struggled to improve the Cowboys’ defense, which has led to a disappointing 1-2 start to the season. Ryan has been critical of the Zimmer hiring, questioning the enthusiasm and inspiration he brings to the team based on his recent performance with the Vikings. Despite being an ESPN analyst since 2017, Ryan has not shied away from expressing his opinions on the Cowboys’ defensive struggles.
Rex Ryan has a history of success as a defensive coach, including a successful stint as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2005-2008. He then went on to become the head coach of the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, reaching the AFC championship game twice with the Jets in his first two seasons. However, Ryan’s tenure with both the Jets and the Bills ended in disappointment, with his last head coaching job ending in 2016 after a second straight disappointing season. Ryan’s head coaching record includes several playoff appearances with the Jets, but ultimately he was unable to sustain long-term success with either team.
The Cowboys are set to face the New York Giants on “Thursday Night Football,” with both teams entering the game with a 1-2 record. Dallas owner Jerry Jones has been vocal about the team’s struggles, particularly against the run game, leading to questions about the performance of both the coaching staff and the players. With Rex Ryan expressing confidence in his ability to improve the Cowboys’ defense if given the opportunity, there is ongoing speculation about the team’s decision to hire Zimmer over more experienced candidates like Ryan. As the season progresses, the Cowboys will need to address their defensive issues in order to compete in a competitive NFC East division.
