Report: Deion Sanders, Cowboys Not Expected to Hold Formal Interview amid Rumors

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 19, 2025

David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that the Cowboys and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders aren’t expected to hold a formal interview, though team owner Jerry Jones and Coach Prime had talked regarding the Cowboys’ head-coaching vacancy.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetFrom @NFLGameDay: The #Commanders appear to have lost G Sam Cosmi for the playoffs; The #Lions coordinators could have jobs soon; Where the #Cowboys stand in their HC search. pic.twitter.com/cegTGmDEeg

“Nothing scheduled yet with Coach Prime,” Rapoport said. “I’d be surprised, probably very surprised, if something did in fact get scheduled.”

On Saturday, NFL reporter Josina Anderson provided one reason why a formal interview may not be the route the Cowboys and Sanders go for the time being, even if there remains mutual interest:

JosinaAnderson @JosinaAndersonAlso noting: From a procedural standpoint, if the #Dallas Cowboys desire to formally interview Deion Sanders they’d have to first get approval from Colorado’s Athletic Director and also inform the league office, before said interview, per league source, pic.twitter.com/ZCSQftj1s7

IAmJeanJacquesTaylor @JJTJournalistThe Cowboys don’t need to officially interview Deion. He lives an hour east of Dallas. Jerry can drive to his compound and talk to to him for two days and no one would know unless they wanted you to know

It is very possible that Sanders is simply leveraging Colorado for a significant pay raise, a time-honored tradition among college coaches. And there has been reporting that Colorado has already offered Sanders an extension, though Coach Prime may be seeking an even more lucrative offer and using the reported interest from Dallas to help get it.

Jane Slater @SlaterNFLA lot to unpack here. Been on the phone non stop here is what I’ve gathered from Deion to Witt to Kellen. Jerry is currently on a solo mission. No official interviews or calls even placed to some. Here is what I have gathered for you. #CowboysHCSearch pic.twitter.com/9OzVVwy7Cz

Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandtDo I think Deion would go to the Cowboys?
I guess, but not just because it’s the Cowboys.
He’s business first, will come down to negotiation.
How does it compare to present situation?
To other NFL coaching salaries?
What are resources for staff, for player spending, etc.

As for the Cowboys, the team has already interviewed former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, while they are also expected to interview Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier on Monday.

The team parted ways with Mike McCarthy this offseason after a disappointing 7-10 record. In McCarthy’s five seasons the team reached the playoffs three times but won just one postseason game.

In some respects, the Dallas opening is an appealing one for prospective head coaches. The team is one of the NFL’s most famous franchises and currently sports a number of talented players, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons.

But the team is also something of a circus under the ownership of Jones, who also insists on a hands-on approach as the team’s general manager, which has caused friction with head coaches in the past. And the roster, while top heavy with star power, has serious holes throughout that were exposed in 2024.

Would someone like Sanders want to take that all on? That remains to be seen. For now, however, it seems like a return to Colorado is more likely.