NFL Rumors: Pete Carroll Spoke with Cowboys' Jerry Jones amid Schottenheimer Buzz

Ex-USC and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has spoken with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the team's open head coaching position amid growing buzz that the team is closing in on hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for the job.

Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the latest.

"The Star-Telegram has confirmed that Jones has contacted former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll regarding the opening," Harris wrote. "The conversation has been described as informal, although the interest is legitimate enough to be reported, according to a source."

Earlier Thursday, Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS reported that the Cowboys and Schottenheimer were closing in on a deal.

Carroll, 73, was the Seahawks' head coach from 2010-2023 before Seattle parted ways with him. He was a two-time national champion at USC (2001-2009) and a one-time Super Bowl winner in Seattle.

Although the Cowboys and Carroll spoke, it appears both sides are going in a different direction. Dallas is clearly looking toward Schottenheimer as the next option, especially after interviewing him on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The Cowboys were also giving ex-Dallas offensive coordinator (and current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator) Kellen Moore much consideration, with Jon Machota of The Athletic calling him "the front-runner right now" earlier this week.

That was before the Schottenheimer interviews, and now it seems like the current Cowboys OC's job to lose.

Meanwhile, Carroll was named a frontrunner for the Las Vegas Raiders' job, per Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Las Vegas was hoping to land Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, per The Athletic, but Carroll seems to be the team's Plan B.

NFL insider Josina Anderson also reported Thursday that Carroll appears to be in the lead, although Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is getting a look as well.

Ultimately, Carroll and Jones may have talked about the Dallas job, but right now, it doesn't appear he'll be leading the Cowboys. If anything, Carroll appears most likely to head to Las Vegas as the Raiders look for a new leader as well.