NFL Rumors: Deion Sanders Linked to Tom Brady's Raiders as Potential HC Fit

The Las Vegas Raiders are cited as a "potential fit" for Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported people within the NFL "are watching closely" to see whether the Raiders will move on from their current coach, Antonio Pierce, after just one full season at the helm.

"The belief among many in the league is that Tom Brady, now a minority owner of the Raiders, will have some level of influence over major decisions, and team owner Mark Davis will covet his knowledge and insight," he said. "If Brady is looking for a fellow GOAT, Sanders has a compelling case as the best cornerback in NFL history."

Fowler cited the other reason why there's broad discussion over whether Sanders could wind up in Sin City.

The Raiders desperately need to find their next franchise quarterback and they're on track to get a top-five pick, which could help them land Colorado star Shedeur Sanders. Maybe Deion and Shedeur could take their father/son partnership to the NFL.

Coach Prime, for his part, has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Colorado.

"I'm happy where I am, man," he said in November. "I've got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? ... That means I'm resting. I'm good, I'm happy, I'm excited. I'm enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do."

The Buffs will lose their two best players this offseason assuming Shedeur and two-way star Travis Hunter officially declare for the 2025 NFL draft. But Sanders has consistently had success in the transfer portal, and Colorado's 2025 recruiting class is 37th in 247Sports' composite team rankings. That's up significantly from a 95th-place finish in 2024.

After going 9-3 in the regular season and winning seven Big 12 games, the Buffaloes could take a slight step backward next season because Shedeur and Hunter are irreplaceable, the latter in particular. The coach has the program on an upward trajectory, though, with a stronger and stronger foundation.

He may not want to leave that behind for what would be a big risk based on the history of college coaches making the jump to the NFL.