Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is reportedly considering former Cowboys cornerback and current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders, to fill the head-coaching vacancy following the departure of Mike McCarthy. According to CBS Sports’ NFL insider Jonathan Jones, while no formal interview has been arranged yet, Jones and Sanders will continue their discussions about the opportunity.
Sanders expressed enthusiasm about being contacted by Jones, stating, “To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing.” He mentioned his affection for Boulder and his commitment to his current team and community. Sanders was a key player during the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl championship in 1995 and was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro in four of his five seasons with the franchise. Current Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who served as Sanders’ defensive backs coach during that time, is a close friend of Sanders and previously noted that Sanders seemed content with his position at Colorado.
While there has been speculation about Sanders’ potential interest, he has made it clear that his primary motivation for moving to the NFL would be to coach his sons – quarterback Shedeur Sanders, highly ranked in NFL Draft projections, and safety Shilo Sanders, who aims to improve his draft status at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl. However, with the Cowboys holding the 12th overall pick in the 2025 draft, they are unlikely to select Shedeur, which complicates matters for Sanders.
Given the substantial financial implications surrounding Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract, including a significant dead cap hit if a trade occurs, the likelihood of Sanders like “Prime Time” taking the helm at Dallas remains slim. Nevertheless, the conversation between Jones and Sanders highlights a fascinating link to the Cowboys’ storied past and the potential for new leadership to usher in a promising future, keeping fans hopeful for exciting developments ahead.
In summary, while there is interest and a historical connection between Sanders and the Cowboys, significant obstacles regarding personal priorities and financial constraints exist, making this potential coaching transition complex.