Rex Ryan says he would have “fixed” the Cowboys’ defense, but Dallas “couldn’t find the money” to hire him

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys made headlines by suggesting that he “couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,” even though the Baltimore Ravens’ star running back had previously expressed interest in playing for the team. Now Rex is accusing Ryan Jones of being too cheap at another position, telling ESPN that he would have become the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator – and “fixed” that unit immediately – if only Jones had paid up.

“I could have fixed that [the Cowboys defense] “In a New York minute,” Ryan told the “DiPietro & Rothenberg” show, according to USA Today. “But other than that, they couldn’t raise the money or I would have been there.”

Ryan, 61, hasn’t held an NFL job since 2016, when he served as coach of the Buffalo Bills. He was Interview for the Cowboys coordinator opening However, this offseason, Dallas hired former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. Ryan notably disputed ESPN’s initial reporting of Zimmer’s hiring, stating at the time that he was still a candidate for the job, claiming that he had personally called Jones to canvass for the spot, and arguing, he could give Dallas a Super Bowl-caliber defense.

The Cowboys are currently among the bottom five defenses under Zimmer’s leadership and will be looking to avoid a 1-3 start against the rival New York Giants on Thursday night.

Ryan is perhaps best known for his six-year tenure as coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014, which was followed by a successful stint as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. His brother Rob previously served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2012.