Dallas Cowboys Interview Rex Ryan for Defensive Coordinator Vacancy

The Dallas Cowboys are considering a major splash to replace outgoing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson reports former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan recently interviewed for the position.

New: I'm told former #Jets and #Bills head coach Rex Ryan interviewed for the #Cowboys vacant defensive coordinator job, per sources. pic.twitter.com/EOMjnpKvnT
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 7, 2024

Quinn, who coordinated the Cowboys to consecutive top-five finishes in points allowed over the past two years, recently accepted the head coach job with the Washington Commanders. Ryan's twin brother, Rob, served as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2012. Ryan has worked as an analyst for ESPN since being fired by the Bills in 2016.

Ryan flamed out as head coach despite a hot start. His Jets made consecutive AFC Championship games following the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but he failed to so much as make the playoffs in his six other seasons as a head coach. In the end, he finished with a 61-66 record before transitioning to his media career.

Ryan's overall record as a head coach is spotty, but his resume as a defensive play-caller and motivator is beyond reproach. As a head coach and defensive coordinator, his teams finished in the top 10 for yards allowed in nine of 12 seasons, and in the top five six times.

Inevitably, Ryan's teams were undone by their inability to build complementary (or even competent) offenses: as a head coach, he never fielded an offense that finished better than 10th in points scored. That wouldn't be an issue in Dallas: the Cowboys have finished as the league's top-scoring team in two of the past three years. He's an excellent choice to carry on the success that Quinn established.