The Dallas Cowboys are basically the world’s most expensive soap opera. Every time they hit a skid, the rumors start swirling, but this one is different. We aren't just talking about a new wide receiver or a coaching change. Colin Cowherd wants the Cowboys to trade for Shedeur Sanders, and he’s been remarkably loud about it.
It sounds like fan fiction, honestly. You take the biggest brand in professional sports, pair them with the most polarizing young quarterback in the country, and throw in the "Prime Effect" for good measure. Cowherd isn't just suggesting a draft pick; he’s proposing a total organizational lobotomy. He wants Jerry Jones to "blow it up" to get the kid from Colorado.
But can you actually trade for a guy who isn't even in the league yet when you're paying Dak Prescott $60 million a year? The math says no, but the drama says maybe.
The Cowherd Logic: Why Trade for Shedeur Sanders?
Colin Cowherd’s argument usually boils down to one word: ceiling. He’s spent years praising Dak Prescott as a "B" or "B+" quarterback—a guy who can win you games if the bus is fueled and the tires are aligned. But Cowherd thinks the Cowboys have reached their expiration date with the current core.
During a recent segment on The Herd, Cowherd laid out a scenario that made most salary cap experts' heads spin. He suggested that if the Cowboys landed a top-five pick, they should move heaven and earth to get Shedeur. He even went as far as saying he'd trade Micah Parsons and multiple first-rounders to secure the pick. That’s a massive "swing for the fences" move that most NFL GMs would consider fireable, but for Jerry Jones? It’s exactly the kind of splash that sells jerseys.
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Cowherd’s rationale is that the NFL is moving toward "celebrity quarterbacks" who can handle the bright lights. Shedeur Sanders has lived in those lights since he was a toddler. He’s accurate, he’s tough, and he has a certain "it" factor that Dak—fairly or not—is often accused of lacking in January.
The Dak Prescott Problem: $240 Million Obstacle
Here is where things get messy. Dak Prescott recently signed a four-year, $240 million extension. That contract is a beast. In 2026, Dak’s cap hit is scheduled to be a whopping $74,068,430.
If the Cowboys were to trade Dak to make room for Shedeur, they would be swallowed whole by "dead cap." We’re talking about nearly $90 million in dead money if they traded him before June 1st. You can’t just "delete" that from the books. Even for a billionaire like Jerry Jones, that’s a lot of money to pay a guy not to play for you while you're trying to build around a rookie.
Why people keep talking about it anyway:
- The Deion Connection: Deion Sanders is a Cowboys legend. The idea of "Prime" coaching his son in Arlington is the ultimate Hollywood script.
- Marketability: The Cowboys are a marketing firm that occasionally plays football. Shedeur Sanders is a NIL king who brings a massive, young audience with him.
- Post-Season Stagnation: Dallas hasn't smelled a Super Bowl since the 90s. When you're stuck in the "pretty good but not great" zone, people start craving radical change.
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Stock: Real Deal or Hype?
It's sort of funny looking back at the 2025 Draft cycle. At one point, scouts were worried about Shedeur's "noise" and his father’s involvement. Cowherd himself actually did a bit of a U-turn, at one point questioning if Shedeur was worth the circus before pivoting back to the "Cowboys should do it" narrative once the Browns took a chance on him.
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Wait—let's clarify the timeline. In the real world, as of early 2025/2026 discussions, Shedeur’s stock has been a roller coaster. Some mocks had him sliding into the second round, while others saw him as a top-five lock. Cowherd’s insistence that the Cowboys should trade for Shedeur Sanders assumes that Shedeur is a "generational" talent.
Is he? He’s incredibly accurate—statistically one of the most accurate passers in college history. He’s also been sacked more than almost anyone, which shows a level of toughness (or a lack of pocket awareness, depending on which scout you ask). Cowherd sees the toughness. He sees a kid who can take a hit and keep throwing dimes.
The "Micah Parsons" Price Tag
Cowherd’s most controversial take was the idea of trading Micah Parsons. "I would give up Micah and three firsts," he said. That’s insane. Parsons is arguably the best defensive player on the planet. Trading a 26-year-old hall-of-fame trajectory pass rusher for an unproven rookie QB is the definition of a "Jerry Jones move," but even Jerry has limits.
The Cowboys' defense without Parsons would be like a car without an engine. Sure, you have a shiny new driver (Shedeur), but where are you going? Most fans think Cowherd is just trolling for engagement here, and honestly, he probably is. But it starts a conversation about what the Cowboys value more: winning or relevance.
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The Reality Check: What Will Actually Happen?
Let's be real for a second. The Cowboys are likely stuck with Dak Prescott through 2027. His contract is virtually untradeable unless a team like the Raiders or Giants gets truly desperate and takes on a huge chunk of the salary.
Furthermore, Jerry Jones is 83. He doesn't have time for a "rookie rebuild." He wants to win now. Trading for a rookie quarterback, even one as polished as Sanders, usually involves a two-year learning curve. Jerry doesn't want to spend his mid-80s watching a kid learn how to read a disguised Cover 2.
Actionable Insights for Cowboys Fans:
- Watch the Dead Cap: Don't believe any trade rumors unless you see the Cowboys restructure Dak’s deal to make a trade feasible.
- Focus on the Draft Position: If Dallas finishes with a record bad enough to pick in the top three, the "Shedeur to Dallas" talk will become deafening. If they pick at 18? Forget about it.
- The Deion Factor: Keep an eye on Deion's contract at Colorado. If he leaves or "retires" to follow Shedeur to the NFL, the Cowboys will be the first team linked to the duo.
Colin Cowherd wants the Cowboys to trade for Shedeur Sanders because it makes for great television. It’s the ultimate "what if." But in the cold, hard world of NFL salary caps and roster building, it remains a pipe dream—at least for now. If you're a Cowboys fan, keep your eyes on the 2026 cap space. That’s where the real story is written, not on a microphone in a Los Angeles studio.