Bills Ex Rex Ryan Loses Out on Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Job

Buffalo Bills Ex Rex Ryan Loses Out on Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Job

Former Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan appears close to making a return to an NFL sideline after landing multiple interviews, but for now, his coaching revival will be on hold.

The Dallas Cowboys, one of the teams Ryan recently interviewed with, officially hired Mike Zimmer to be their new defensive coordinator on Monday despite some concern that the deal would fall through due to contract issuses. Ryan was seen as a top candidate for the Dallas job and made a strong push, but it's Zimmer who will be taking over for Dan Quinn.

© Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY

Ryan, 61, was hired as Buffalo's head coach in 2015 but was fired before the final week of the 2016 season. In two years with the Bills, he had a 15-16 record, missing the playoffs in both seasons.

Though Anthony Lynn was the interim head coach for Week 17 in 2016, Ryan is still the last head-coaching hire that the Bills made before Sean McDermott took over in 2017. 

McDermott led the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999 during his first season. Buffalo has made the postseason six times in McDermott's tenure, including four AFC East titles.

Bills Mafia likely views the breif Ryan era as their final years of suffering before the team became competitive again. But in a way, the team's mediocre play during his final season could be seen as a blessing in disguise since it helped jumpstart a new era.

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