It’s Jerry’s world.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has started the coaching search as a “solo mission” after Mike McCarthy left the team when contract talks broke down.
So, it should be no surprise that instead of starting with a standard list of top coordinators — it was big names and franchise legends that first started leaking out.
Deion Sanders and Jason Witten, come on down!
But Slater questioned if Sanders is using the Cowboys as leverage in an attempt to get a new deal out of Colorado as he enters the third season of a five-year deal in Boulder.
“I think the interest from Jerry is absolutely real. I guess the question is, does Deion want to come here?” Slater said on Tuesday. “The reason why I ask that is talking to a lot of people who are close to that program … is the autonomy Deion enjoys there. Not to mention the staff. He has a very large staff there and as one person put to me today, ‘Is Jerry going to allow him to bring in all of those?’ Mike McCarthy was asked to reduce his staff and Jerry is not really high on paying his coaches here.”
While Slater confirmed the interest in Witten is also legitimate, it is unclear in what role that would be after McCarthy’s exit.
Jones has an affinity for the team’s former tight end and the plan was for him to join McCarthy’s staff as an “heir apparent.” However, according to Slater, the veteran coach “surprised” Jones by pursuing different opportunities instead of signing a new contract with the Cowboys.
McCarthy, who led the Cowboys to three playoff trips in five seasons, will first interview for the Bears’ head coaching opening, and the Saints are also interested in speaking with him.
Jones has not spoken to Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who was an assistant for years in Dallas, nor Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The timing of McCarthy’s exit this week slightly complicates any potential Cowboys’ pursuit with both of those NFC East teams still alive in the postseason.
Jones has also yet to reach out to Jon Gruden, whose name has gone quiet in coaching carousel rumors after some initial buzz towards the end of the regular season.
The 82-year-old Jones taking full control of the search comes after he was defiant when asked about giving up his role as GM.
“No. Just, no,” Jones told The Athletic recently. “I bought the team, I think the first thing to come out of my mouth… somebody asked, ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘Hell no. I bought it for me.’ And I didn’t buy an investment. I bought an occupation, and I bought something I was going to do.
“I was 46 (years old). I bought something I was going to do for the rest of my life. That’s what I’m doing. So, no. The facts are, since I have to decide where the money is spent, then you might as well cut all of the bull—- out. That’s who’s making the call anyways.”