Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys having second thoughts on who to hire as DC?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/12/24

The Dallas Cowboys might be having second thoughts about hiring Mike Zimmer as their next defensive coordinator.

On Sunday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported they planned to hire the former Minnesota Vikings head coach. During a Monday appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show," Schefter recanted his report, noting the Cowboys and Zimmer haven't agreed to a deal and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan "could still be in play."

"I still haven't heard that the deal is done which means Rex Ryan could still be in play"

We got some DRAMA @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/MdVrJJN2ti pic.twitter.com/3V18eRVfR6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 12, 2024

The former Jets and Bills HC also implied Dallas was still interested Sunday on "ESPN NFL Countdown," saying, "I'm not so sure Zimmer has that job right now."

Schefter believes the Cowboys should eventually hire Zimmer, but owner Jerry Jones was "ready to run through a wall" after interviewing Ryan. This means there's a chance the organization could change its plans, as the 80-year-old holds tremendous sway.

Ryan would be a surprising choice. Even though he's a solid defensive mind, he's been out of the NFL since 2016. In his final season as Buffalo HC, the Bills were 16th in the league in points allowed. The Broncos interviewed him for their DC opening last offseason, but they hired Vance Joseph.

Zimmer's been out of the league since 2021, but the Vikings finished 24th in the league in points allowed in his final season. Before Minnesota fired him, he reportedly created an environment where players "dreaded going to work." However, he previously served as Cowboys DC from 2000-06, and Dallas ranked first in points and yards allowed in 2003.

Regardless, either candidate should succeed with one of the best defenses in the league. The Cowboys finished ninth in the league in points allowed (20.2) and have multiple Pro Bowlers, including linebacker Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland.

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