Rex Rising: Ex Jets' Coach 'Seriously' Considered for Cowboys Job?

Will the Dallas Cowboys' recent interest ignite return of former New York Jets' head coach Rex Ryan to the NFL?

Eight years after his unceremonious dismissal from the Buffalo Bills, former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan may be inching his way closer to a return to the NFL. 

Despite not having stalked a sideline since 2016, Ryan was reportedly "seriously considered" for the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator position after interviewing with the team earlier this week. Dallas had been searching for a successor to Dan Quinn, who recently left to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys have since agreed to hire former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer for the job. 

Still, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made it clear, while speaking with reporters in Las Vegas on Thursday night, that his team's interest in Ryan for the position on coach Mike McCarthy's staff was both sincere and strong. 

"This was not a token interview," Jones declared. 

Could former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan be angling for a return to the NFL sidelines? / Cred: USA Today Images

Though the market for Ryan's coaching services has not been robust in recent seasons, it has lately been showing signs of rejuvenation. In addition to drawing interest from the Cowboys this year, Ryan also interviewed with the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator opening under head coach Sean Payton in 2023. Denver ultimately decided on its former head coach Vance Joseph for the role. 

Moving forward, Ryan's past success will inevitably make him an intriguing candidate for any team in search of help on defense. 

However, might this latest showing of interest lead to his return to the NFL coaching ranks? 

Ryan is arguably best known for his tenure as head coach of the Jets from 2009-14. Notorious for his unbridled bravado, he immediately re-ignited the Jets rivalry with the then-division juggernaut New England Patriots during his introductory press conference -- infamously declaring that he “wasn’t there to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings.” He initially lived up to the hype by winning three of his first five games against the Patriots, including a playoff game in 2010. Ryan’s Jets would go 1-7 against the Patriots over the next four years.

Still, in his first two seasons as Jets head coach, Ryan led the team to back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances. However, his remaining time with the Jets was more extensively marked by struggle than success. New York relieved him of his duties in Dec. 2014.

Next, Ryan spent two seasons as head coach of the Bills, earning a 15-16 record. His time in Western New York came to an end on Dec. 27, 2016 following a Christmas Eve loss to the Miami Dolphins, which eliminated the Bills from playoff contention. He was succeeded by then-offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn for the final game of the season, before current coach Sean McDermott took the reins in 2017.

Since being fired by the Bills, Ryan has remained away from the sidelines. The 61-year-old has worked as an analyst for ESPN, primarily on Sunday NFL Countdown. 

Cowboys Interviewing Another Jets Coach For Defensive Coordinator

Ryan is also no stranger to being a pro-level defensive assistant. He joined the Baltimore Ravens in 1999, serving as their defensive line coach until 2004. In 2005, he became the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, and later was promoted to be the team's assistant head coach in 2008.

In his first year with the club, Baltimore’s defense was ranked second overall in the NFL and second in rushing yards allowed. By his second season, the Ravens' defense set NFL records for fewest points allowed (just over 10 points per game) and fewest rushing yards allowed with 60. Baltimore’s preventive unit allowed a combined 23 points in four playoff games en route to their victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. In Ryan’s nine collective years in Baltimore, the team’s defense never ranked lower than sixth overall.

Notwithstanding his recent Cowboys interview, the extent of Ryan's desire to return to coaching is currently unclear. Still, reestablishing himself as a coordinator may be an important step in once again earning a head coach position. Should he choose to do so, the proverbial "door" may presently be open a bit wider than it has in quite some time. 

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