Shedeur Sanders projected as ‘target’ for Cowboys, with strings attached

Speculation is mounting that Deion Sanders could be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

If so, hiring Coach Prime could have a cascading effect on the Cowboys’ offseason plans, which could include drafting Deion’s son, Shedeur Sanders. 

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox looked at some of the potential changes that hiring Deion Sanders would have on the Cowboys’ organization. 

"If Sanders takes the Cowboys job, it will immediately spark speculation about his sons — Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Colorado defensive back Shilo Sanders," Knox wrote. "This is because of previous comments Deion has made regarding their future and any potential interest of his in an NFL coaching opportunity."

On an appearance on "Good Morning America," Deion Sanders previously said, "The only way I would consider it is to coach my sons." If that still remains true, then it’s not hard to connect the dots. 

However, this plan won’t be easy to pull off. The Cowboys have the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders is projected to be selected in the top five picks. This likely means the Cowboys would have to trade up to secure Deion Sanders’ son, and the moment he takes the job, teams will be anticipating trade calls. 

Yet, they also have Dak Prescott under contract through the 2028 NFL season. Trading him before June 1 would incur a ridiculous $103.2 million dead cap charge. That’s likely too much to stomach.

However, trading him after June 1 would knock that dead cap penalty down to $42.1 million while offering $47.7 million in cap savings. But most teams don’t trade superstars two months after the NFL Draft when rosters are largely set. 

Yet, as Knox noted, the Cowboys could always plan to start Prescott in 2025 and trade him later. This could work ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline or during the following offseason.

Trading Prescott next offseason would mean taking a $61 million dead cap charge, which is a lot, but it’s still much better than a $103.2 million penalty for parting with him before June 1 this year. 

While they’d have to perform some salary cap gymnastics, no matter what, if Deion Sanders takes the Cowboys’ head coaching job, Shedeur Sanders immediately becomes a prospect to watch for “America’s Team.”

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