Rex Ryan has always been known for his bold statements and controversial persona, both as a coach and now as an ESPN commentator. Even though it’s been eight years since his coaching days, Ryan continues to make headlines with his opinions. This week, he managed to involve the Dallas Cowboys in his latest claim.
In a radio interview on the “DiPietro and Rothenberg” podcast, Ryan asserted that he could have easily turned around the Cowboys’ defense had the team hired him as their defensive coordinator. Instead, the Cowboys went with Mike Zimmer, the former Minnesota Vikings head coach, who replaced Dan Quinn.
Ryan, who made his name as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2005 to 2008, said he was in talks with the Cowboys during the offseason about the position. However, according to Ryan, the deal fell through because the team wasn’t willing to meet his salary demands, leading them to hire Zimmer instead.
“Absolutely, I would’ve fixed it in no time,” Ryan said in the interview. “But they didn’t want to pay up, so I stayed with ESPN. They couldn’t ‘pony up’ the money.”
Rex Ryan Criticizes Mike Zimmer’s Hiring
Ryan’s remarks were certainly attention-grabbing, especially given the Cowboys’ status as the most valuable franchise in the NFL—and all of American sports—worth a staggering $10.32 billion, according to Sportico. The idea that the Cowboys couldn’t afford to hire a defensive coordinator, especially one as seasoned as Ryan, seems unlikely.
However, Ryan didn’t stop there. He also criticized Zimmer, who faced backlash from players after his tenure with the Vikings ended in 2021. Players had complained about Zimmer’s old-school approach, labeling him too harsh, and he notably left without addressing the team after being let go.
Zimmer’s defensive record in Minnesota also didn’t help his case. In his final season, the Vikings ranked 24th in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed. The year before, they were 29th in points and 27th in yards.
“You hired a guy who was 29th in the league the last two years in Minnesota,” Ryan said. “And you expect him to inspire the team? When he left, he blamed the players and didn’t even talk to them. That’s the guy who’s supposed to motivate your defense? I think this could end badly for Dallas.”
Ryan went on to suggest that while the Cowboys’ schedule initially looked favorable, the decision to hire Zimmer could lead to trouble down the line.
Cowboys’ Schedule Presents Challenges Ahead
Dallas heads into Week 4 with a seemingly favorable matchup against the 1-2 New York Giants, who have only managed to score 45 points across three games. The Giants have averaged 105 rushing yards per game, an area where the Cowboys have struggled defensively.
Dallas has allowed a total of 557 rushing yards through the first three games, the worst in the NFL. Facing the Giants could provide the Cowboys a much-needed break after contending with top-tier running backs Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry in previous weeks.
However, the road ahead for Dallas is far from easy. After Week 4, the Cowboys face the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 5, followed by a home game against the Detroit Lions. Following a bye in Week 6, the Cowboys’ schedule ramps up with games against the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles—all playoff contenders, with at least two being potential Super Bowl threats.
Ryan’s critique may prove insightful as the Cowboys face this challenging slate, but time will tell whether Zimmer’s defense can rise to the occasion or if Ryan’s predictions will ring true.
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