On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a painful 34-6 defeat at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, pushing their record to a bleak 3-6 and dropping them to 13th place in the NFC. With quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, playoff hopes are slipping away. The team also faces looming changes in leadership, as head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to part ways with the Cowboys by season’s end.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith stirred up conversation by suggesting the Cowboys consider a bold, immediate change. Instead of waiting for the offseason to search for a new head coach, he urged the team to approach Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Smith’s plan? Bring Sanders on as head coach and position his son, Shedeur Sanders, as the Cowboys’ future quarterback by tanking the season to secure a top draft pick. On ESPN’s First Take, Smith declared, “The Cowboys should tank the rest of the season, draft Shedeur Sanders, and hire Prime Time Deion Sanders as head coach. That should be Jerry Jones’ masterplan.”
This unconventional proposal sparked a strong reaction on social media, with fans largely rejecting Smith’s vision for the team. Many labeled the idea as outlandish and misguided, calling it “comedy” and “Stephen A’s worst take.” Fans quickly pointed out that Prescott’s recent four-year, $240 million contract extension makes a transition to Shedeur improbable. “What are you gonna do with Dak Prescott? You just gave him a huge deal, Stephen A.,” one user commented, while others questioned how Smith overlooked such a crucial contract situation.
In addition to the fan backlash, Sanders himself has previously dismissed the idea of coaching in the NFL. In a 2023 interview, Sanders expressed his disinterest, citing concerns about NFL players lacking commitment. “I don’t have any desire or ambition to coach in the NFL,” he said. “I’d be too tough as a coach because I still hold those old-school values.”
Although Deion’s path to Dallas seems unlikely, especially considering his current success with Colorado, Smith’s suggestion underscores the Cowboys’ growing need for a clear, effective strategy. For now, it seems both Cowboys fans and Deion Sanders remain unpersuaded by the vision of a Prime Time takeover in Jerry World.
