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Stephen A. Smith wants Cowboys to hire Rex Ryan after latest collapse

By The Best News Network November 3, 2026

Stephen A. Smith wants Cowboys to hire Rex Ryan after latest collapse originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Dallas Cowboys blew a two-touchdown fourth-quarter lead against Arizona, lost 33-30 in overtime and dropped to 3-5. Stephen A. Smith thinks he knows who should be brought in to fix the defense: Rex Ryan.

On Monday’s First Take, Smith urged owner Jerry Jones to call ESPN and try to hire Ryan as Dallas’ defensive coordinator. Smith argued Ryan could bring the intensity the Cowboys need, even suggesting he could make a difference with just four days to prepare.

It was a made-for-TV solution to a very real problem. The Cowboys had started Sunday’s game well on defense, but Arizona took control after turning to Gardner Minshew. The Cardinals scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to erase Dallas’ lead, then won in overtime. The collapse came less than a week after the Cowboys had beaten Philadelphia on the road.

The Ryan pitch has one big obstacle

Ryan has a strong NFL resume, including two AFC Championship Game appearances as head coach of the New York Jets. But he has not coached in the NFL since his time with the Buffalo Bills ended in 2016, and it has been much longer since he served as an NFL defensive coordinator.

Stephen A. Smith wants Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to hire Rex Ryan. https://t.co/wcQTEMeJfV

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 3, 2026

That gap matters when Smith’s proposal is to have Ryan take over immediately. Ryan would need to learn the current roster, install his terminology and prepare for the next opponent on a compressed schedule. His reputation for aggressive defenses and fiery leadership makes the idea easy to picture on television. Making it work in the middle of a season would be a different challenge.

Dallas also already has a defensive coordinator in Christian Parker. The Cowboys added former NFL head coach Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant earlier this season, giving the staff an experienced defensive voice. The team’s official roster still lists Parker as coordinator.

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Dallas needs more than a headline-grabbing hire

Smith’s frustration is understandable after the way the Cowboys lost. But the collapse exposed more than one breakdown. Dallas failed to protect its lead, struggled to respond after Arizona changed quarterbacks and could not finish the game in overtime.

That makes Ryan an easy name to throw into the conversation, especially after a loss that left the Cowboys searching for answers. It does not make a midseason switch a quick fix. Dallas would have to decide whether the defense needs a new leader, sharper execution from the current group or both.

Smith’s call may fuel the debate around Jones and the coaching staff this week. For now, it remains a suggestion from television, not a reported Cowboys move. The next step is seeing whether Dallas can turn Sunday’s collapse into a response on the field.