• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Champ Bailey didn’t think Deion Sanders and the Cowboys were a good fit.

Champ Bailey on why he never saw Deion Sanders and Cowboys as a ‘match’

Champ Bailey believes that if Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders receives an NFL offer, he will take it. However, he never saw the Dallas Cowboys as a potential fit when Sanders was linked to the team.

Bailey, a Hall of Fame defensive back, briefly played with Sanders in Washington in 2000 before Sanders’ first retirement. While Bailey is best known for his time with the Denver Broncos, he spent his first five seasons (1999-2003) with the Washington Commanders. He believes Sanders will jump to an NFL coaching job if the offer is substantial.

“I think he’ll take it when he gets an offer, or a serious offer,” Bailey said in an interview, discussing his partnership with Trulieve. “I don’t feel he’s gotten a formal offer yet. His name has been mentioned, but has he had an interview? Did he talk to Jerry seriously? He could talk to Jerry again, but until there’s an official interview, it’s nothing to me.”

The Cowboys, in the end, chose to hire offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who already understands the inner workings of the team and owner Jerry Jones’ approach. Given Jones’ need for control, Bailey didn’t see Sanders and the Cowboys as a natural fit.

“I told someone who asked, ‘He’d be a great hire, a great addition to the locker room,’” Bailey said. “I was surprised it could’ve been the Cowboys. From a marketing standpoint, it makes sense, but I know Jerry likes control, and so does Deion. I just never saw that match happening.”

Although Bailey doesn’t see it as a fit, he doesn’t rule out the possibility in the future. Sanders played for the Cowboys from 1995 to 1999 and won a Super Bowl with them after the 1995 season.

“Who knows? It’s the coaching carousel,” Bailey said. “Ask Jerod Mayo how quickly things can change. It sounds like Deion wants the opportunities. Let’s see if they want him—and I think they should.”

Bailey is familiar with Schottenheimer, as Brian served as the quarterback’s coach with Washington during the 2001 season when his father Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach.

Although Schottenheimer’s first offensive coordinator job came in 2006, 2025 will mark his first head coaching position in the NFL.

“It’s funny, when Deion left the Redskins, that’s when Marty came in, and I think Brian was on our staff,” Sanders said. “He was young, but it’s funny how things work out. Surprised it took him this long to become a head coach; he’s been a sharp offensive mind for years.”

 

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