Former NFL Coach Accuses Cowboys of Penny Pinching on Staff

Rex Ryan, a candidate this offseason to replace former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, made a bold claim about ownership during a radio appearance on ESPN's DiPetro and Rothenberg.

Per a transcript of Ryan's comments by USA Today, Ryan suggested the Cowboys wouldn't give him the salary he wanted to join Mike McCarthy's staff this season.

"I could've fixed (the Cowboys' defense) in a New York minute," Ryan said. "But, that being said, they couldn't pony up the money, or I would've been there."

Ryan last coached in the NFL as the Buffalo Bills head coach in 2016. His last season as a defensive coordinator was in 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cowboys ultimately agreed to hire Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator. Zimmer's results through three weeks have been mixed.

The former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings had a fast start with Dallas in Week 1, holding the Cleveland Browns to 17 points in a victory.

The New Orleans Saints scored 44 points on Dallas in Week 2. The Cowboys surrendered 28 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 as the team fell to 1-2.

During the appearance on ESPN, Ryan took a subtle shot at the Cowboys and Zimmer.

"You brought in a guy that was 29th in the league, his last two years at Minnesota, the enthusiasm he brings when he left, that's the guy that's gonna inspire you," Ryan asked. "This can go really bad for Dallas."

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