The Cowboys aren't retaining Mike McCarthy and could be aiming to land Deion Sanders, which could renew their old rivalry with the 49ers.
Despite some dramatic moments between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in recent years, fans of both teams have to admit the age-old rivalry between these two squads is nothing close to what it once was during the 1970s, 1980s and especially the 1990s.
During those decades, the rivalry was personal.
Granted, the Niners have enacted some vengeance for the largely one-sided rivalry in previous decades, helping eliminate Dallas from the playoffs on multiple occasions, also mixing in some rather one-sided regular-season victories in the process.
Still, the nature of the rivalry just hasn't had the same feel as it once did, especially when the two teams met on a seemingly yearly tenure in the NFC Championship game during the mid 1990s.
However, one action by the Cowboys early in the 2025 offseason could spark a new chapter in their rivalry with San Francisco.
Cowboys' latest move suggests Deion Sanders could be next head coaching target
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Dallas opted not to retain head coach Mike McCarthy entering the new year, citing the inability to come to terms on a new length of contract:
Sources: Mike McCarthy is out as #Cowboys coach.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2025
The sides couldn’t agree on length of contract and McCarthy will pursue other opportunities. He leaves Dallas with a winning record and three playoff appearances. pic.twitter.com/MJzWvUlfjU
This makes McCarthy a coaching "free agent," and he'll join the ranks of other coaches looking for new opportunities elsewhere.
However, there's a growing buzz about the Cowboys potentially executing this move to open the door for the University of Colorado's head coach, Deion Sanders.
You've heard of Sanders, of course. The one-year 49ers cornerback who had one of the most storied seasons in NFL history back in 1994 that helped the Niners secure their fifth and most-recent Super Bowl victory.
Except Sanders jumped ship the following offseason to join Dallas, winning more Super Bowls there.
Sanders' own coaching career has taken off, particularly if the opportunity is there to select his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who helped the Buffaloes get to a 9-4 record last season.
Considering the elder Sanders' history with both Dallas and San Francisco, the possibility of him returning to the NFL in coaching ranks would certainly pique the interest of both teams' fanbases.
Until something else happens, this will be a storyline worth monitoring.