Rex Rising: Former Coach of the Jets Is ‘Seriously’ Considering Job with Cowboys?

Will Rex Ryan, the former head coach of the New York Jets, return to the NFL as a result of the Dallas Cowboys’ current interest?

Rex Ryan, the head coach of the New York Jets, was abruptly fired eight years ago, but it looks like he might be getting close to rejoining the league.

After speaking with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week, Ryan—who hasn’t stalked a sideline since 2016—was allegedly “seriously considered” for the defensive coordinator role. Dallas was looking for someone to replace Dan Quinn, who just departed to take a head coaching position with the Washington Commanders. Since then, Mike Zimmer, the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, has decided to join the Cowboys.

However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made it apparent Thursday night in an interview with reporters in Las Vegas that his team has a genuine and significant interest in Ryan for the job on coach Mike McCarthy’s staff.

While Ryan’s teaching skills have not been in high demand lately, there are indications that the market is beginning to recover. Ryan not only attracted interest from the Cowboys this season but also had an interview with head coach Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos defense coordinator position in 2023. In the end, Denver selected Vance Joseph, a previous head coach, for the position.

Ryan’s prior accomplishments will undoubtedly make him a compelling prospect going ahead for any team looking to bolster their defense.

But may this most recent display of interest result in him going back to coaching in the NFL?

Perhaps Ryan’s most well-known role was head coach of the Jets from 2009 to 2014. Known for his unrestrained bluster, he famously declared at his press conference of his first press conference that he “wasn’t there to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,” thereby reigniting the Jets-New England Patriots rivalry. He won three of his first five games against the Patriots, including a playoff game in 2010, living up to the hype at first. Over the following four years, Ryan’s Jets would go 1-7 versus the Patriots.

Nevertheless, Ryan guided the Jets to consecutive trips to the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons as head coach. But his final years with the Jets were more often defined by hardship than by achievement. He was removed of his duties by New York in December 2014.

Ryan then led the Bills to a 15-16 record in his two seasons as head coach. On December 27, 2016, he left Western New York after the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas Eve by the Miami Dolphins. For the season’s final game, he was replaced by offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, who left to become the current coach Sean McDermott in 2017.

Ryan has not been on the sidelines since being fired by the Bills. The 61-year-old has been employed by ESPN as a commentator, mostly on Sunday NFL Countdown.

Additionally, Ryan has experience as a professional defensive assistant. In 1999, he became a member of the Baltimore Ravens and coached their defensive line until 2004. He started as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2005 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2008.

Additionally, Ryan has experience as a professional defensive assistant. In 1999, he became a member of the Baltimore Ravens and coached their defensive line until 2004. He started as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2005 and was elevated as the assistant head coach in 2008.

Despite his previous conversation with the Cowboys, it’s unclear how much Ryan wants to coach again just yet. However, he could need to prove himself as a coordinator once again in order to be considered for a head coaching job. If he so chooses, the “door” might be open a little wider than it has been for a while right now.