Deion Sanders Lands Massive Payday with Colorado While the Cowboys Move Forward

Deion Sanders Secures One of College Football’s Biggest Contracts

Well, well, well. Deion Sanders has officially secured the payday that many speculated he was angling for when rumors swirled about his potential interest in coaching the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year.

According to Brian Howell from the Daily Camera, Colorado’s Board of Regents has approved a five-year, $54 million contract for Sanders, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. This massive deal doubles his previous salary and solidifies his future with the Buffaloes. Given his impact in transforming Colorado’s football program and drawing national attention to the university, the raise was expected.

The Cowboys Rumors and the Leverage Game

Back in January, reports surfaced about mutual interest between Sanders and the Cowboys, sparking widespread speculation. At the time, it seemed unlikely that the pairing would materialize, but the rumors may have served another purpose.

As I previously noted, Sanders stood to benefit from any leverage he could create ahead of potential contract negotiations with Colorado. His existing deal paid him nearly $6 million annually, plus incentives and bonuses. By allowing whispers of NFL interest to gain traction, Sanders may have nudged Colorado into offering an extension that placed him among the highest-paid coaches in the country.

Why Signing Sanders Would Have Been Complicated for Dallas

Sanders’ new contract also underscores why bringing him to the Cowboys would have been a logistical nightmare. Reports indicate that current Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy earns somewhere around $4 million per year, a figure significantly lower than Sanders’ new salary. Additionally, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s compensation is likely modest, considering his limited demand across the league.

For years, Jerry Jones has maintained a philosophy of avoiding massive coaching buyouts by allowing contracts to expire. Both Jason Garrett and McCarthy left the Cowboys without early dismissals, a strategy that keeps the franchise from paying out hefty severance packages. Offering Sanders a deal worth over $10 million per season would have been a dramatic departure from the Cowboys’ usual way of operating.

The Cowboys’ Focus is on Schottenheimer Now

For Dallas, the focus now shifts entirely to Brian Schottenheimer, who is assembling an impressive coaching staff around him. The Cowboys are counting on him to lead the team to a strong performance in the upcoming season. While the Sanders rumors may have entertained fans for a while, the reality is that the Cowboys are moving forward without him.

In the end, Sanders got what many believed he wanted all along—a lucrative contract extension that cements his position as one of the top-paid coaches in college football. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will continue their quest for success in the NFL, sticking to their tried-and-true approach to coaching contracts.