Michael Irvin has dropped a bombshell on the Dallas Cowboys’ future coaching prospects, claiming that Deion Sanders would be open to becoming the team’s head coach—but only under one condition: drafting his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
During an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Irvin confidently shared that his “great sources” have confirmed Deion’s interest in the Cowboys job, provided Dallas commits to making Shedeur their quarterback.
“I believe 100%. And I could tell you, good sources told me that,” Irvin said, laughing. “Great sources have told me that. That’s all I can say like that without violating anything else.”
Irvin’s comments come just days after he publicly pitched Deion to Jerry Jones during a pre-fight broadcast for the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul matchup. While Deion has yet to confirm such plans, Irvin seems certain the Hall of Famer is intrigued by the idea of bringing his coaching prowess to Dallas—if his son comes along.
Michael Irvin says Deion would accept the Cowboys job if they draft Shedeur Sanders.
“100%. And I can tell you, good sources have told me that. Great sources have told me that.” pic.twitter.com/RqgZbBGBjB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 19, 2024
The Shedeur Sanders Dilemma
This hypothetical situation raises immediate questions about the Cowboys’ current quarterback, Dak Prescott, who signed a four-year, $240 million extension set to begin next season. Prescott’s contract includes a no-trade clause, making it difficult to move on from him. Even if Prescott waived the clause, Dallas would face a significant dead cap hit.
The Cowboys, currently sitting at 3-7, are on track for their worst season in nearly a decade. If they end up with a high draft pick, acquiring Shedeur Sanders becomes a realistic possibility. However, doing so would almost certainly lead to a major shakeup at quarterback.
Irvin hinted that Deion could take a page out of Eli Manning’s playbook and use his influence to dictate where his son plays. But even if such a maneuver succeeded, it’s unclear how the Cowboys would navigate the financial and logistical challenges tied to Prescott’s contract.
A Jerry Jones Circus
For Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, this conversation might be exactly what he wants. In the midst of a disastrous season, the idea of pairing Deion and Shedeur Sanders in Dallas is enough to keep fans and media buzzing, even as the team struggles on the field.
Still, the idea of firing Mike McCarthy, parting ways with the league’s highest-paid quarterback, and hitching the franchise’s future to the Sanders family seems like a long shot. But as Irvin’s remarks show, the speculation is only beginning.
Whether it’s just a pipe dream or a genuine possibility, the father-son duo of Deion and Shedeur Sanders has certainly added another layer of intrigue to the Cowboys’ already chaotic season.