Who will be the Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach? It’s still early in the process, and while other teams with vacancies have gotten a head-start on filling that leadership role, Jerry Jones is just beginning to speak to candidates.
Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein confirmed on Wednesday that former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh will be interviewed. While no talks are currently scheduled, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and Jones have spoken about the role after the franchise parted ways with Mike McCarthy on Monday.
Jones will have plenty of options for his next head coach. According to DraftKings, six coaches and coordinators from the NFL and college football are leading the way, with Deion Sanders the favorite to land in Dallas.
Deion Sanders (+100)University of Colorado head coach
Sanders and Jones are expected to speak again, and while Sanders has spoken of his fondness for Colorado, he didn’t completely close the door on the opportunity.
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing,” Sanders told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday. “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.”
Sanders coached Jackson State for parts of three seasons before moving on to Boulder after signing a five-year, $29.5 million contract. In two seasons with the Buffaloes he’s helped improve the team from 4-8 in 2023 to 9-4 this past season.
Sanders also has ties to the franchise, having played five seasons with the Cowboys, helping them to a victory in Super Bowl XXX.
Kellen Moore (+250)Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
Moore is in his first season with the Eagles, and like Sanders he has familiarity with Jones and the Cowboys after playing there for three seasons and then serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator from 2018-2022.
“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 on Tuesday. “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 has been requested to be interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints.
Kliff Kingsbury (+350)Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Kingsbury comes with NFL head coaching experience, having led the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons from 2019-2022 — a tenure that saw him deliver only one winning record and one playoff appearance.
But Kingsbury helped boost a Commanders team that has reached the NFL divisional round and made the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Washington’s offense put up 176 more points and averaged nearly 60 yards more per game than they did in 2023, in part because of the play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
It’s an offense that Jones got to see up close twice in 2024 and Kingsbury’s string-pulling might be enough to intrigue the Cowboys owner.
The Chicago Bears and Saints have requested to speak to Kingsbury for their head coaching position.
Ben Johnson (+450)Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Johnson is a hot commodity for a second straight coaching cycle and has had interviews already with the Bears, Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders.
Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019 and worked as the team’s offensive quality control coach, tight ends coach and passing game coordinator before taking over the offense. Since Johnson was promoted, Detroit has finished in the top four of total offense in each of the past three seasons.
The biggest issue for Jones is timing. Because the Cowboys and McCarthy broke up this week and due to the Lions advancing to the divisional round, Johnson and Jones cannot speak until after Detroit’s season ends.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a sought-after coach again this hiring cycle. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Joe Brady (+550)Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Brady, 35, is in his third season with the Bills and first running the offense. Buffalo was No. 1 in total offense in 2024 and Brady quickly won over MVP candidate Josh Allen, who jokingly responded to a question about what Brady has done for the offense by saying, “Nothing. Teams should stay away from him.”
Brady has had success working with elite quarterbacks, now with Allen in Buffalo and previously with Joe Burrow at LSU. Would he find something similar in Dallas with Dak Prescott?
The Jets, Jaguars and Saints have already requested to speak to him as the Bills continue on in the playoffs.
Aaron Glenn, (+650)Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Like Johnson, Glenn wouldn’t be available to interview until the Lions are done with their season. Glenn is also a former Cowboy, having played for the franchise under Bill Parcells from 2005-2006.
This week, Glenn said that despite his success in charge of the defense, he won’t do the same if he’s given a head coaching job.
“I’m a coach,” Glenn said. “I just happen to be on defense. I understand the offense just as well as a number of people. If you want to hire me, you’re going to hire a coach. You’re not gonna hire a defensive coach. I’m gonna talk to the offense just as much as I’m gonna talk to the defense.