The Dallas Cowboys just hit rock bottom, blowing a two-touchdown fourth-quarter lead against Arizona, losing 33-30 in overtime, and tumbling to a grim 3-5 record. Watching that unfold, you just knew the takes were gonna be hot, but Stephen A. Smith? He came in scorching with a suggestion so out there, it makes you wonder what’s really happening down in Big D.
Stephen A.’s Wild Pitch
On Monday’s *First Take*, Smith didn’t just suggest, he *urged* owner Jerry Jones to call up ESPN and try to hire Rex Ryan as Dallas’ defensive coordinator. Seriously, Rex Ryan. Smith’s argument? Ryan could bring the intensity the Cowboys desperately need, even claiming he could make a difference with just four days to prep. It’s the kind of “solution” that screams made-for-TV, but it stems from a very real, very ugly problem for Dallas.
Think about it: the Cowboys’ defense started Sunday’s game strong. But then Arizona turned to Gardner Minshew, and everything fell apart. The Cardinals put up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, completely erasing Dallas’ lead before sealing the deal in overtime. This collapse happened less than a week after the Cowboys snagged a road win against Philadelphia. You win a big one, you think you’ve got momentum, and then BAM! You get punched in the mouth like that. What a brutal sequence for that fanbase.
The Reality Check
Now, Rex Ryan’s NFL resume is no joke, with two AFC Championship Game appearances as head coach of the New York Jets. But here’s the kicker: he hasn’t coached in the NFL since his time with the Buffalo Bills ended way back in 2016. And it’s been *even longer* since he was an NFL defensive coordinator. That’s a massive gap. Smith’s proposal wants Ryan to take over immediately, but imagine the challenge: learning a whole new roster, installing his terminology, and prepping for an opponent all on a compressed, mid-season schedule. His reputation for aggressive defenses and fiery leadership sounds good on TV, sure, but making it work mid-season? That’s a whole different beast.
Let’s not forget, Dallas already has a defensive coordinator in Christian Parker. They even brought in former NFL head coach Mike Pettine earlier this season as a senior defensive assistant, adding an experienced defensive voice to the staff. Parker is still listed as the coordinator on the team’s official roster. This collapse wasn’t just one thing, either. Dallas couldn’t protect their lead, struggled to respond when Arizona switched quarterbacks, and flat-out couldn’t finish the game in overtime. A coaching change isn’t always a magic bullet. They’ve got to figure out if they need a new leader, better execution from the guys they have, or both.
Smith’s call might stoke the fires around Jones and the coaching staff this week. But for now, it’s just a wild suggestion from the TV airwaves, not an actual Cowboys move. The real question is whether Dallas can take this gut-wrenching loss and actually turn it into a response on the field next time out. While they figure that mess out, around here in the Emerald City, we’ve got our own headlines, like the Seahawks’ Quenton Nelson trade facing immediate questions after an ugly Bears loss. Always something to talk about in this league, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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