Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Colorado coach Deion Sanders are said to be in talks about the franchise's vacant position.
The Cowboys are searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Mike McCarthy on Monday after five seasons.
The franchise reportedly failed to come to terms on a new contract with McCarthy and Jones later stated that it had become clear that the Cowboys needed to go in a different direction.
And the Cowboys have reportedly already moved on. Jones has wasted no time in initiating contact with a potential candidate, according to a report.
The 82-year-old has held talks with Sanders, the current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, about a possible return home to Dallas. Jordan Schultz reported.
Sanders is believed to be the “leading candidate” for the position and discussions are expected to continue, the report added.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) and Deion Sanders (left) are said to be in talks.
Mike McCarthy leaves his position as Cowboys head coach this week
However, Jones, who also serves as the Cowboys' general manager, will also interview other candidates.
The Cowboys confirmed Monday that McCarthy would not return for the 2025 season, and Jones said the decision was mutual in a statement.
“We will immediately begin a search process to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Jones confirmed.
McCarthy's contract will expire Tuesday after the team went 7-10 and missed the playoffs. The coach went 49-35 in five seasons with Dallas and never reached the NFC Championship game in that span.
Meanwhile, Sanders led the Buffaloes, including his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, to a 9-4 record and 7-2 mark in the program's first year in the Big 12.
Sanders spent five years with the Cowboys and was part of the Dallas team that won the Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXX in 1995.
But the Cowboys' vacancy isn't the only NFL coaching job he's been linked to this week.
Sanders was said to have expressed “strong interest” in the role left vacant in Las Vegas following the Raiders' dismissal of Antonio Pierce.
But Mark Davis, Tom Brady and company. “They have no interest” in hiring the 57-year-old coach, according to The Athletic.
The Raiders have already interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They have scheduled interviews with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh next week.
And Brady, who is part of the interview process, is said to be pointing to Johnson as his favorite for the role.