ESPN NFL Analyst Rex Ryan Says The Cowboys Couldn't Afford Him
Rex Ryan believes the Dallas Cowboys defense has some serious problems they could have solved by hiring Rex Ryan during the offseason.
Earlier this year, Ryan's name surfaced as a candidate for the team's defensive coordinator position. They instead hired Mike Zimmer, whose unit has allowed the fifth-most yards and third-most points through a 1-2 start.
Following Week 3's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Ryan told ESPN New York's Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg that he would have "100 percent" turned around the defense if given the chance. However, the Cowboys allegedly didn't meet his asking price.
"I would’ve fixed it in a New York minute," Ryan claimed. "But, that being said, they couldn’t pony up the money, or I would've been there."
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 26: Former NFL coach & ESPN analyst Rex Ryan of 'ESPN's Sunday's NFL Countdown' speaks onstage during the ESPN portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The former New York Jets head coach then questioned Zimmer's credentials. Minnesota ranked 27th and 30th in total defense during his final two years as head coach in 2020 and 2021.
"You brought in a guy that was like 29th in the league his last two years at Minnesota," Ryan said. "And the enthusiasm he brings -- you saw when he left he blamed the players .. that’s the guy that’s gonna inspire you?" Ryan said. "This can go really bad for Dallas."
It's hardly the only shot Ryan has taken at Zimmer's defense. During Sunday NFL Countdown, the ESPN analyst called the group "garbage." When Mike Greenberg pressed him to describe the defense in two words, Ryan beefed up his review to "hot garbage."
Ryan later went on a diatribe during Monday morning's Get Up.
"I'm seeing a team that I wonder what the h**l they did all week," Ryan said. "Like, were you surprised that Derrick Henry ran the ball as much as he did and Lamar Jackson is a runner? Look, I get it. It can happen to anyone one week. But not back-to-back weeks in your own home building, where you just got pounded. This is a joke."
Ryan will probably have more to stay if the Cowboys don't rebound against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.
