The Dallas Cowboys interviewed former NFL head coach Rex Ryan for their vacant defensive coordinator position, a team source confirmed Wednesday.

Ryan, 61, hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2016, when he was fired by the Buffalo Bills. Before two seasons in Buffalo, he spent six seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets.

Ryan has worked as an analyst for ESPN since 2017.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson first reported Ryan’s interview.

Ryan came up through the ranks as a defensive coach. During his last stint as a defensive coordinator, with the Baltimore Ravens from 2005 to 2008, his unit never finished below sixth in yards allowed per game. Ryan’s Jets teams also fielded a top-10 defense in all but one season (2013). He had a 61-66 combined record with New York and Buffalo, with two AFC Championship Game appearances.

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The Cowboys are looking for a new defensive coordinator after Dan Quinn left to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders.

Why Ryan makes sense

The Cowboys considering Ryan for their vacant defensive coordinator position isn’t surprising and falls in line with where their search has been going since Quinn’s departure. Mike McCarthy values a strong defensive mind who has head-coaching experience, which is why former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera has been considered, as well as former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

While he doesn’t have any direct ties to the Cowboys, his brother, Rob, was the defensive coordinator in Dallas in 2011 and 2012. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys writer

Required reading

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