Rex Ryan says Dallas Cowboys have not hired Mike Zimmer

Just three days ago, it appeared the Dallas Cowboys hired Mike Zimmer to be their defensive coordinator for the 2024 season. This was necessary after Dan Quinn left to fill the Washington Commanders’ head coaching vacancy, but now Rex Ryan is suggesting that the Cowboys’ offer may not be set in stone.

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The contradicting report suggests Zimmer may not have a contract finalized with the Cowboys just yet. And the biggest twist, is that Ryan, another candidate who interviewed for the Cowboys’ defensive vacancy, is the one who’s breaking the news. What does it all mean?

Could Rex Ryan still become the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator?

When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys hiring Mike Zimmer, Rex Ryan says — not so fast.

“First off, I’m not so sure Zimmer has that job right now,” Ryan said, via CBS Sports.com. “I’m not sure about that. I can honestly say I don’t believe that’s a fact right now.”

If true, it’s a fascinating development in Dallas. What could have changed in the past three days? It seems unlikely that Zimmer would have taken another job, as returning to the Cowboys has always been on his radar.

Then again, we also know how eager Coach Ryan is to get back involved with the NFL, and taking over a very good Cowboys defense would be a great way to begin. Really, any coordinator capable of coaching a defense should have a very strong interest in filling the Cowboys’ vacancy.

So while we previously put this matter out of our minds, we could see Dallas hire someone else over the next few days, possibly even Ryan.

“The reason I was out for seven years was I had never called another head coach,” Ryan said. “I called Mike McCarthy. The reason I did is because I want to be on this stage [points to Super LVIII field behind him] if I’m going to get back into coaching, to have a chance at that. I think with this roster the way it is, I think offensively and special teams and defense — I can be a little bit of an upgrade — the team could be right here [at the Super Bowl]. That’s why I was interested. I would only go [back to coaching] at the right situation. If it’s not completely right, I’m not going. This team, it is interesting, because they are so close to getting over that edge, and that’s why I think people would be interested in this job.”

Rex Ryan on his interest in Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator vacancy

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