Deion Sanders doubles down on coaching Cowboys while addressing Shedeur’s record $17.7m deal

The Dallas Cowboys found themselves in need of a new head coach at the end of 2024.

America’s Team finished that season 7-10, third in the NFC East, as they missed the playoffs.

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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opted not to bring back head coach Mike McCarthy, who had been with the team since 2020.

A surprising name entered the conversation, with reports emerging Pro Football Hall of Famer and Cowboys legend Deion Sanders had spoken to Jones about the then vacant position.

Sanders reveals Cowboys head coach rumors ‘weren’t real’

Sanders, the head coach of college football’s Colorado Buffaloes, had just come off a 9-4 season, with his son, Shedeur, the starting quarterback.

Sanders Sr recently revealed that his talks with the Cowboys last year were not actually serious, and rumors of him transitioning into a NFL head coach role were not true.

“They weren’t real at all,” Sanders told Front Office Sports.

“I liked playing the pro game, but I wouldn’t enjoy coaching the pro game. It’s a different game.”

Deion and Jerry Jones have a relationship that spans 30+ years, and some have argued that it’s not worth ruining over the head coach role, which has become somewhat of a poisoned chalice in recent season.

Sanders ultimately stayed with the Buffaloes, who went 3-9 in 2025, a dramatic fall without Shedeur and two-way Travis Hunter — who were both drafted to the NFL — on the roster.

Dallas eventually promoted Brian Schottenheimer from offensive co-ordinator to head coach. He finished 7-9-1 in his first year at the helm.

Sanders, meanwhile, recently secured a massive contract extension with Colorado through 2029 worth $54 million, and his focus remains in Boulder.

“I’m focused on winning and getting these kids through college so they have degrees, and they’re able to attain tremendous professions even after football is over,” Sanders added.

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“But I have no thought process of the NFL whatsoever.”

Deion Sanders addresses Shedeur’s $17.7m record income

Shedeur, who was selected by the Browns in the fifth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is being paid the league minimum on his rookie contract.

However, the league cut the QB a check for $17.7 million in group licensing income across his first year in the NFL, which set an all-time record.

Deion sent a strong message on his son’s financial success.

“I just had a kid that made the most money in the history of the NFL itself,” Sanders said.

“That wasn’t even including jerseys. Ya’ll don’t know that. That was just… that was another deal.”

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Sanders’ success as the Buffs starting quarterback (4,134 yards and 37 TD’s in his senior year) captured national attention.

The impact of this has clearly not worn off, despite the fact Sanders spent the first half of his rookie season warming Cleveland’s bench.

Shedeur started the final seven games of the season, throwing for 1,400 yards while leading Cleveland to a 4-3 record.

As things stand in 2026, he finds himself in the midst of a quarterback battle with Deshaun Watson.

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