Cowboys finalize deal to hire Zimmer as new DC

The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with Mike Zimmer for him to become the club's new defensive coordinator, he confirmed to ESPN's Ed Werder on Monday.

"I'm excited and honored to be back with a great organization," Zimmer said. "I'm thrilled to work with Mike McCarthy, for whom I have had a ton of respect (for) in our NFC North days, and to do anything I can do to help the Joneses and the Cowboys."

Monday's news arrives nearly a week after the former Minnesota Vikings head coach apparently agreed to join the organization. It also follows a report earlier Monday that Rex Ryan was still in the running for the role.

"Mike Zimmer's deal is not done yet," ESPN's Adam Schefter said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "They have reached out to Rex subsequent to that and they reached out to him ... (Sunday) just to say, 'Hey, any shot of this?'"

Zimmer, 67, has remained out of football since he was fired by the Vikings after the 2021 season. He replaces Dan Quinn, who was named as the Washington Commanders' head coach on Feb. 1.

The Vikings established a 72-56-1 regular-season record under Zimmer from 2014-2021. Zimmer is set to embark on his second stint with the Cowboys after previously working his way up from an assistant role to defensive coordinator from 1994-2006.