Next Dallas Cowboys head coach odds and best bets: Are we buying the Deion smoke?
The circus runs year-round in Dallas. The latest act is the rumor that former Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders could possibly be the next Cowboys head coach. Sanders spoke informally with owner and GM Jerry Jones on Monday, according to FOX Sports.
It was not an official interview, however, so we’re still in the “wait-and-see” phase. Sanders’ stock is sky-high after leading Colorado to a 9-4 record while coaching his sons, Shedeur (QB) and Shilo (S), and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
A Sanders-Jones partnership would break the internet and give talking heads fodder for years. Deion addressed the situation via ESPN saying:
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing. I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.”
Will it happen? The prevailing thought is don’t bet on it, since Sanders has an $8 million buyout at Colorado and Jerry typically prefers coaches who keep a lower profile than Primetime.
However, you can bet on Deion being the next Dallas Cowboys coach, and DraftKings has him as the favorite at even money (+100). Let’s take a look at the rest of the Dallas Cowboys next head coach odds and try to make sense of it all.
Dallas Cowboys next head coach odds
*via DraftKings in the following markets: WV, NH, CO, MI, OR, WY, AZ, LA and Ontario
Deion Sanders (+100)
As a Cowboys fan, I sort of want this to happen despite the fact we don’t have a huge sample size of Deion coaching at a high level. Jerry Jones respects Deion, which is more than you can say about some of the other coaches he’s hired in the past (hi, Dave Campo, Wade Phillips and Chan Gailey).
We know that Deion is one of the few inexperienced coaches that would be able to handle Jerry and the constant media glare – heck, he embraces it.
However, Deion told GMA 3 What You Need to Know that he would only consider coaching in the NFL if he could coach both his sons – Shedeur, the top QB prospect in the 2025 draft, and Shilo, a safety who is also in this draft class.
Considering QB Dak Prescott just signed a three-year, $240 million dollar contract extension and has a full no trade clause, Deion to Dallas seems highly unlikely.
That’s not even taking into account Deion has an $8 million buyout. Jones is unlikely to pay that buyout and then hand Deion a huge contract, and we know Deion’s price isn’t cheap. Do not wager your hard-earned money on Deion as the next Dallas Cowboys head coach.
Kellen Moore (+250)
Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore makes a lot of sense for many reasons. The biggest reason being he was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator during a massively successful four-year stretch.
Dallas ranked first in total offense in 2019 and 2021, the latter of which the Cowboys led the league in scoring (31.2 points per game). Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas posted on X (formerly Twitter), showing how well Dallas’ offense performed under Moore.
FWIW, here are Dallas’ offensive ranks across the NFL in games Kellen and Dak were together from 2019-2022:
PPG: 29.7 (1st)
YPG: 414.7 (1st)
Yards/Play: 6.1 (2nd)
Pass TD: 103 (2nd)
Rush TD: 62 (3rd)— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) January 15, 2025
Moore, who is preparing to face the Rams in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs, addressed the topic in his media availability.
“I mean, obviously I spent a lot of time there. Eight years there and so, obviously have plenty of relationships [in] that place,” Moore said. “I love it here. I’ve had so much fun here. It’s been a really fun process, and we’re in a really special situation right now, getting the chance to play this Sunday. Have a chance to make a run at this thing and that’s really all you worry about. Everything else is what it is and we’ll see where it takes you.”
Moore is my best bet to be the Cowboys’ next head coach and here’s why: he never should have been let go. Former head coach Mike McCarthy was under intense pressure after two playoff failures and used Moore as a scapegoat. McCarthy clearly felt the heat and made the decision that if he was going to get fired, it would be while he was calling the shots on offense, not Moore.
The other reason Moore is a great bet is two-fold. He’s the prototype of what Jerry Jones looks for in his coaches: young, cheap and deferential. Moore will not get upset with Jerry’s constant post-game interviews or meddling. Jerry isn’t going to change. Only the coaches change. And they all have the same archetype. Jones also would love stealing him from NFC East rival Philly.
Kliff Kingsbury +350
Kingsbury has done a tremendous job with rookie QB Jayden Daniels in Washington, and he has roots in Texas as the former head coach of Texas Tech. However, his one stint as a head coach in the NFL was a disaster.
He went 26-29 in four seasons with the Cardinals, and his offense cracked the top 10 in scoring only once. Some coaches are better coordinators than head coaches, and Kingsbury falls into this category.
Joe Brady +450
Brady has re-established himself as a hot name after a disappointing run as offensive coordinator in Carolina (26th and 29th in scoring in two seasons).
He fits the bill as the young, inexperienced (and cheaper) coaches Jerry likes, but a lot depends on how the Bills’ season ends. If Buffalo wins the Super Bowl, maybe Brady leaves, but the Cowboys will be far from his only suitor. If Buffalo falls short, I think it’s more likely he stays to finish the job.
The long shots
Ben Johnson +550
The Cowboys missed out on interviewing him during their the Lions’ bye week because they dragged their feet with McCarthy. He might view that as indifference and not entertain Dallas as an option. Seems unlikely from both sides’ point of view.
Bill Belichick +650
Belichick can get out of his North Carolina contract, even though he said at his introductory press conference: “I didn’t come to leave.”
Still, it’s a $10 million buyout, and Jerry’s seemingly grown cheaper in his older years. Then there’s the obvious question of how well Belichick would be able to stand Jerry’s antics. No thanks.