Dallas Cowboys' latest defensive coordinator update makes it seem like they're trolling us

Well, the Dallas Cowboys aren't done adding defensive coordinator candidates to the list just yet.  While it seems clear there are two leading candidates in the race to replace Dan Quinn in Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera, the latest reported added a really unexpected name to the conversation. Per CBS' Josina Anderson, the Cowboys interviewed […]

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks off the field after warmups prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField.
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Well, the Dallas Cowboys aren't done adding defensive coordinator candidates to the list just yet. 

While it seems clear there are two leading candidates in the race to replace Dan Quinn in Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera, the latest reported added a really unexpected name to the conversation.

Per CBS' Josina Anderson, the Cowboys interviewed Rex Ryan for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

Ryan checks the box that the Cowboys seem to be intent on getting: Head coaching experience. The three outside candidates they've interviewed that we know of have that characteristic in common.

The problem with Ryan that isn't shared by Zimmer and Rivera though, is that he's been out of the NFL coaching world since 2016. After his last coaching tenure, he moved on to ESPN as a studio analyst.

The last time that he coached, Tony Romo was on the Cowboys' 53-man roster! But that's just for effect. For more practical reasons, let me point out Ryan hasn't been around for the rise of Shanahan-esque offenses and many other of the trends you see in NFL football today.

Can you bet in an all-in season that he'll figure things out on the fly? He's had some nice defenses in his curriculum but this isn't the type of hire that makes you come off as a serious franchise in 2024.

Heck, it feels like they're trolling us at this point. We'll see if their interest is serious or if they're just doing their so-called due diligence. If it's the latter, you gotta wonder why they didn't allow Mike Vrabel and Wink Martindale a chance to interview.

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