Deion Sanders to the Cowboys feels unlikely after surprising news from Colorado.
With a disappointing 3-7 record and multiple noncompetitive performances, the Dallas Cowboys are likely to search for a new head coach in 2025. The fact that Mike McCarthy’s contract ends after next season makes the potential transition more straightforward. However, the buzz around Deion Sanders as a replacement already feels forced.
Cowboys legend Michael Irvin claimed he’d push Jerry Jones to hire Sanders. He also suggested Sanders would leave Colorado to coach the Cowboys if Dallas agreed to draft his son, Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback leading the Buffaloes to an 8-2 record. Meanwhile, pundits like Colin Cowherd have stirred the pot by suggesting the Cowboys trade Micah Parsons and three first-round picks to move up and draft Shedeur—implying Dak Prescott would be traded as well. The speculation has reached absurd levels.
However, recent news may put this chatter to rest. Colorado secured one of the top quarterback recruits for the 2025 class, Julian Lewis, who announced his commitment Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show. Lewis chose Sanders and Colorado over powerhouse programs like Georgia, which has won two of the last three national championships, and Indiana. He had previously been committed to USC.
Lewis, ranked the No. 2 pocket-passer recruit for 2025 by ESPN, is set to succeed Shedeur Sanders, who could be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. If Colorado hadn’t landed Lewis, the team might have pursued a quarterback in the transfer portal. Instead, this marks the biggest recruiting win in Colorado’s modern history, showcasing Sanders’ unmatched recruiting abilities.
This commitment supports reports that Sanders is content coaching at the college level, suggesting he’ll return to Colorado next season despite Irvin and media speculation tying him to the Cowboys. Jerry Jones, when asked about Sanders on 105.3 The Fan, expressed little interest. Jones typically favors coaches with NFL experience, which is why names like Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel are more realistic options.
While it’s possible Sanders eventually moves to coach a team drafting Shedeur, the idea of him leading the Cowboys should be set aside for now given this latest development.
