Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is reportedly exploring options for a new head coach following the departure of Mike McCarthy. Among those considerations is former Cowboys Super Bowl champion and current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders. As reported by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, while no formal interview has been established, Jones is maintaining communication with Sanders regarding the potential coaching vacancy.
In a recent statement to ESPN, Sanders expressed his admiration for Jones, calling the outreach “delightful” and “intriguing.” He emphasized his commitment to the Buffaloes, stating, “I love Boulder and everything about our team, the coaches, our student body, and the community.”
Sanders, who was part of the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl championship team in 1995, achieved Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in four of his five seasons with the team. During that tenure, he forged a strong bond with Dallas’ defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who has publicly noted Sanders’ happiness at Colorado. Back in November, Zimmer stated that he believed Sanders was content in his current role and not considering a move to the NFL.
While the conversation with Jones is certainly happening, there seems to be significant hurdles for Sanders returning to coach the Cowboys. He has indicated that the only reason he might consider an NFL coaching position would be to coach his sons. Notably, quarterback Shedeur Sanders is viewed as a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, while safety Shilo Sanders is also expected to increase his profile at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl.
However, the Cowboys’ 2025 NFL Draft position poses a challenge for Sanders’ aspirations to coach his sons. With the 12th overall pick, Dallas is likely out of reach for selecting Shedeur, especially as the team will soon begin the 2025 season with Dak Prescott, who is under a substantial four-year, $240 million contract. This situation complicates Sanders’ potential transition, especially given Jerry Jones’ aversion to substantial dead salary cap hits, something he has lamented in the past.
While it is optimistic for Jerry Jones to engage in discussions with Sanders, the likelihood of “Prime Time” making a significant jump to the Cowboys appears slim. It may be beneficial for both parties to keep the dialogue open, but it seems that Sanders’ priority remains with the Colorado Buffaloes and his family for the foreseeable future.