At this point, this much is clear: Deion Sanders is talking to the Dallas Cowboys about their head coaching vacancy.
How real those conversations are, however, depends on who you ask.
Days after Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz first broke the story, which was later confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there has seemingly been little movement regarding the potential blockbuster partnership between the Hall of Fame cornerback and his former team. But according to longtime NFL insider Ed Werder, the ball is effectively in the Cowboys’ court, with the ex-ESPN reporter stating that Sanders would “almost certainly” take the job if it’s offered to him.
“Regarding Deion Sanders: I’m being told that he would almost certainly accept if Jerry Jones offers to make him the next #Cowboys head coach, that those around him are encouraging him to pursue it and that Jones is enamored with the idea,” Werder posted to X on Thursday.
Regarding Deion Sanders: I’m being told that he would almost certainly accept if Jerry Jones offers to make him the next #Cowboys head coach, that those around him are encouraging him to pursue it and that Jones is enamored with the idea.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 16, 2025
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, however, isn’t so sure.
Performing her weekly hit on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Thursday, Russini was asked about the possibility of Sanders leaving Colorado for the Cowboys. And not only did the senior NFL insider cast doubt that the 57-year-old would wind up in Dallas, but she also expressed skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the interest between the two sides.
“I think it’s all smoke. I think a conversation happened. Everyone’s kind of wink-winking this thing. I don’t think the Dallas Cowboys had a plan,” Russini said. “I think they felt this would work out with Mike McCarthy. Mike McCarthy’s like, ‘Nah, I’m good. This isn’t what I want in terms of a contract.’ He walks. Jerry [Jones]’s left going, ‘Alright, I gotta go find a head coach.’
“This is the Dallas Cowboys, though. Every single person in America that coaches football wants an opportunity to coach for the Dallas Cowboys. So, he starts making some phone calls, which is what he’s been doing for the last few days, and he’s reaching out to people. And I think Deion Sanders is someone he’s reached out to. I just don’t think that Deion Sanders is going to be at the top of the list at the end of the day when the Dallas Cowboys start these interviews.”
Werder and Russini’s reports aren’t necessarily at odds; it’s plenty possible that Sanders would take the job if offered, as Werder reported, while it’s also possible it’s unlikely that would ever happen, as Russini reported. Still, the difference between the two reports is notable, with one painting the pursuit as real and the other portraying it as the Cowboys merely doing their due diligence.
As for who’s reporting is on the right track, only the Cowboys and Sanders can truly answer that. But considering the high-profile parties involved, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that plenty of information is available, even if some of it differs depending on the source.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.