Rex Ryan Disputes Adam Schefter's Dallas Cowboys-Mike Zimmer Report Live On ESPN

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ESPN NFL analyst and former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys for their open defensive coordinator position. According to fellow ESPNer Adam Schefter, Mike Zimmer got the job over Ryan. 

But, as ANOTHER famous ESPNer – Lee Corso – is fond of saying: "Not so fast, my friend!"

During the network's pregame Super Bowl coverage, Schefter delivered a report that the Cowboys are expected to hire former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator. This was news to Ryan, though, and he had no qualms about saying so. 

"This week, the Dallas Cowboys went ahead and hired Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator," Schefter reported. "Obviously, they talked to a wide number of candidates, like our own Rex Ryan … They loved Rex, they were highly impressed with Rex.

Rex Ryan Adam Schefter ESPN Dallas Cowboys Mike Zimmer

(Marco Garcia/USA TODAY Sports)

"I'm a little surprised they didn't hire him, with as much as they loved him, but were quite happy they didn't," Schefter continued. "We're happy to have him [at ESPN]." 

Host Sam Ponder made a joke about teams trying to steal Ryan away from ESPN and everyone on set, including Ryan, laughed about that. 

However, Ryan then got serious and said: "I can honestly say … I'm not so sure that Zimmer's got that job right now … I don't believe that's a fact right now." 

Spicy! 

Ryan goes on to explain that he wants to get back into coaching, but only for the right opportunity. Because of that, he says he called head coach Mike McCarthy personally. Ryan sounds like he really wants that Cowboys' coordinator position. 

So, the question is whether Ryan just can't accept that he didn't get the job, or if he knows something that Schefter doesn't. 

Both are certainly possibilities, but if Schefter got that report wrong – especially since he's a colleague of Ryan's – that would be a bad look for Schefter, who's come under fire a lot recently for his reporting. 

Can't wait to see where this story goes next… 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.