Jerry, Stephen Jones Give Conflicting Answers on Deion Sanders' Candidacy for Cowboys

When the Dallas Cowboys began their head coaching search, Deion Sanders was one of the first names in the mix and was seemingly a serious candidate.

But on Monday at new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's introductory press conference, owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones had conflicting answers about Sanders' legitimacy as a candidate.

According to DLLS Cowboys' Joseph Hoyt, Stephen Jones said Sanders was a serious candidate and that both he and Jerry Jones "think the world of" Sanders. Per The Athletic's Jon Machota, Jerry Jones differed in his answer, saying that Sanders "was never a serious candidate."

When asked about his conversation with Sanders, Jerry Jones said Sanders "already has a job," via Machota.

Just hours after the Cowboys and former head coach Mike McCarthy parted ways on Jan. 13, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported that Jerry Jones had spoken with Sanders about becoming Dallas' next head coach. Schultz noted that Sanders was considered a top candidate at the time, and there was mutual interest.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that Sanders and the Cowboys were still in talks, but did not plan to have a formal interview.

Sanders, now preparing for his third year at Colorado, spent five seasons with the Cowboys from 1995 to 1999, winning a Super Bowl in 1995.

It's hard to say why Jerry Jones never considered Sanders a serious candidate, but if his goal was to generate storylines, he certainly accomplished it.

Now Sanders will stick with the Buffaloes, who he made significant progress with during the 2024 season. Colorado, which went 1-11 the season before Sanders' arrival, improved from 4-8 in 2023 to 9-4 this season. The Buffs were an upset loss against Kansas away from reaching the Big 12 championship and potentially the College Football Playoff.

Had Sanders landed the job in Dallas, it would have meant leaving behind what he's built in Boulder. He'll instead get to continue leading Colorado and perhaps will be ready for his first NFL gig in a few years.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are hoping Schottenheimer can take them to the promised land after years of disappointment. Jerry Jones clearly thinks highly of the longtime assistant if he was willing to give him his first head coaching job over candidates like Sanders.