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 be the next Cowboys head coach. Sanders spoke 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. 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 in fact can bet on Deion Sanders being the next Dallas Cowboys coach. DraftKings has him as the favorite at even money (+100).

Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports reported the Cowboys’ first official interview will be former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who is now the second favorite to be the Cowboys next head coach behind Sanders at +150. 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).

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.”

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, Sanders 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 (or second-best depending on who you ask), 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 Sanders 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.

The consensus is that Deion is trying to use the Cowboys as leverage to get a contract extension from Colorado. Meanwhile, Jerry is the star in Dallas. He won’t want to be overshadowed. Do not wager your hard-earned money on Deion Sanders as the next Dallas Cowboys head coach.

Robert Saleh (+150)

This one is a head-scratcher on the surface, but trying to read Jerry Jones’ mind is a fools errand. Saleh went 20-36 in three-plus seasons as the Jets coach. Worst of all, Saleh’s “specialty” is defense. Here are the Jets ranks in scoring defense during his time as head coach:

• 2021: Last
• 2022: 4th
• 2023: 12th
• 2024: 20th

Mike Zimmer is a well-respected defensive coordinator. Dallas struggled early adjusting to the change from Dan Quinn’s 3-4, attacking man defense to Zimmer’s Cover 2 scheme. However, Zimmer had the Cowboys playing very well toward the end of the season. Saleh constantly came under fire in New York for his poor game management as well. I think I speak for most Cowboys fans when I say, please no.

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.

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.

Ben Johnson +450

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.

The long shots

Kliff Kingsbury +550

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.

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.

Joe Brady +650

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.

Best of the rest:

• Leslie Frazier: +750
• Aaron Glenn: +850
• Steve Sarkisian: +950