The Dallas Cowboys are known to be early candidates for their vacant head coach position.

According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has spoken to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders about the job, and talks are expected to continue regarding the possibility of him becoming the next head coach in Dallas.

Schultz noted that while Sanders and the Cowboys have not conducted a formal interview, “there is mutual interest.”

According to Schultz, Sanders is “considered the front-runner,” but Dallas will interview other candidates.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported that Sanders has “some interest” in the job and the Cowboys have “at least some interest as well.”

Jones announced Monday that former coach Mike McCarthy would not return as head coach next season. McCarthy’s contract expired last week, but he was in an exclusive negotiating window with the Cowboys until midnight Tuesday.

Sanders never held an NFL coaching job but was successful at the college level. He led Jackson State to a 27-6 record with two SWAC titles during his three years with the team before taking over at Colorado last year.

He inherited a Colorado team that had a 1-11 record the season before his arrival. The Buffaloes improved slightly in his first year at the helm, finishing 4-8, but took a big leap in 2024. Colorado finished 9-4 this season, a surprising loss to Kansas that failed to contend for a Big 12 title and perhaps punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff.

In Sanders’ second year, two-way star Travis Hunter also won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the second player in Buffaloes history to take home the coveted award.

Now Sanders could face a difficult decision if offered the job in Dallas. He could have a chance to lead his former team back to glory, but it would come at the price of leaving behind what he built in Boulder.

Even if Sanders were offered the job, his recent comments would lead fans to believe he has no interest in it. Just last week at an appearance at Good morning AmericaSanders said it would take special circumstances to lure him to the NFL.

“The only route I would consider is coaching my sons. Not sons. Sons,” Sanders said. “I love Colorado, I love my Buffaloes, I love everything we build, I love everything we do and I love Boulder, Colorado.”

The chances of a team having his two sons are pretty unrealistic, but there is a world in which the Cowboys could at least get star quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Shedeur, who had a standout college career and is now preparing for the NFL draft, will most likely be one of the first quarterbacks off the field, meaning Dallas, which has the No. 12 pick, is likely to make a compromise would have to draw him.

If the Cowboys are serious about bringing Sanders to the Cowboys, finding a way to bring Sheduer to Dallas could be their best selling point.