While Prime is interested in the gig, the feeling is not mutual according to The Athletic
While The Las Vegas Review-Journal recently reported that Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders is interested in the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach vacancy, The Athletic reported that the feeling is not mutual.
“There’s been some buzz about University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, but the Raiders have “zero interest” in hiring him, according to a league source,” Tashan Reed wrote on Sunday, Jan. 12 while providing details on the Raiders’ head coach search. “Agents using the stubbornly quiet Raiders for leverage goes as far back as the franchise’s losing.”
To Reed’s point, Sanders’ team could be looking for leverage to get a new contract from Colorado after leading the team to a 9-4 record (7-2 in the Big 12) this season, a dramatic turnaround from the 1-11 mark the Buffalos had when he took over the program.
Also, according to The Roar, Sanders’ contract includes a “renegotiation period” after year three. So, the Reveiw-Journal’s report could be an agent laying the early groundwork for those contract talks.
Deion’s son, Shedeur, is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class and Las Vegas needs a signal-caller. Coach Prime would undoubtedly like the opportunity to continue coaching his son in the NFL, however, that likely won’t happen with the Raiders.
The organization conducted several interviews last week and will continue meeting with candidates this week, not including Sanders, as Pete Carroll is scheduled to be in Las Vegas today.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- The Tom Brady effect: “Brady, in particular, has already displayed a heavy influence,” Reed wrote in the column referenced above. “…[Ben] Johnson interviewed with the Raiders on Friday — and one can question if he even would have given the Raiders the courtesy without Brady’s involvement.”
- Kirk Cousins trade proposal: Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton put together several potential trade packages for the quarterback, one being Las Vegas sending Atlanta a fourth-round pick and cornerback Jack Jones for Cousins.
- Less competition for a head coach: “There is another factor at play that could also be benefitting the Raiders,” Silver and Black Pride’s Bill Williamson wrote. “There were only six openings and now it’s down to five with New England hiring Mike Vrabel. It is the fewest amount in any of the years that Davis has hired a new coach.”
- Willing to wait for Ben Johnson: “Johnson interviewed with the Raiders virtually on Friday, and the meeting must have gone well,” S&BP’s Marcus Johnson wrote. “Ian Rapoport reported that the Lions offensive coordinator is a name to watch for the Raiders coaching vacancy. Also, they are willing to wait for Johnson if the Lions have a deep playoff run they are expected to achieve.”