Could Deion Sanders Make the Leap to the NFL? Here’s What We Know
Deion Sanders has never been shy about where he stands on coaching at the next level. Time and again, he’s said he’s committed to the college game. But even “Coach Prime” isn’t immune to the pull of the NFL-especially when the right opportunity comes knocking.
According to recent reports, Sanders gave serious thought to the idea of coaching in the NFL when the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones parted ways with Mike McCarthy. That’s no small thing.
The Cowboys are the franchise where Sanders made a name for himself as one of the most electric defensive backs in league history. The connection runs deep, and it’s not hard to imagine the idea of returning to Dallas in a new role at least crossing his mind.
Right now, though, Sanders is still at the helm in Boulder. After three seasons leading the Colorado Buffaloes, he’s sitting on a 16-21 record.
Not exactly the kind of win-loss ratio that screams NFL-ready, but let’s be honest-Deion Sanders brings more to the table than just numbers. He’s a culture shifter, a recruiter who can command a room, and a name that still carries weight in every football circle.
That said, the 2025 season was rough. Colorado stumbled to a 3-9 finish, and Sanders didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I’m not happy with nothing right now,” he said after the season. “I don’t think it’s a motivation thing as it’s more a part of life.
This fan base, the school, Rick [George]… everybody deserves better than this, and they expected better than this. I expected to be much better than this, and we’re going to give them much better than this… starting tomorrow.”
That sure sounds like a coach who’s planning to be back in the building this fall. But not everyone’s convinced.
Former NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones believes Sanders might be closer to the NFL than he’s letting on. Specifically, he thinks there’s only one job that could lure him away from Colorado: coaching his son, Shedeur Sanders, at the professional level.
“It would have to be Cleveland,” Jones said. “He’s not going to go and coach against Shedeur, that’s first and foremost.
I’m not saying it can’t happen, but if it was to happen, it would be somewhere where Shedeur is playing at. That would be 1-of-1.
It’s crazy.”
Jones’ comments come amid reports linking Sanders to the Cleveland Browns, who are in the market for a new head coach after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski. While Sanders is only one year into a five-year, $54 million deal with Colorado, the Browns could represent a unique scenario-especially if Shedeur ends up there.
That father-son dynamic is hard to ignore. In Deion’s first season without Shedeur under center, the Buffaloes struggled mightily. Meanwhile, Shedeur showed promise in his rookie year in the NFL, offering glimpses of the talent that made him a standout in college.
So, is Deion Sanders truly considering a jump to the NFL? Officially, no. But between the Cowboys’ past interest, Cleveland’s current vacancy, and Shedeur’s budding pro career, the door isn’t completely closed.
For now, Coach Prime seems locked in on turning things around in Boulder. But in football, as we’ve seen time and time again, things can change fast-especially when family, legacy, and the NFL are in the mix.