Deion Sanders linked to Dallas by Cowboys legend during Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight

During the technical difficulty-filled Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight broadcast on Netflix, Michael Irvin was interviewed alongside Jerry Jones in AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas -- and during the interview, the legendary Cowboys receiver teased that he and Jones would discuss hiring Deion Sanders.

“Everybody loves Mike [Tyson], but everybody loves and respects Jake [Paul] also for what he’s done here. To have an ability to not go the normal route and still end up right here. You give him respect. I give him respect like I give my great guy Deion Sanders, who didn’t go the normal route. Who I’m gonna be in Jerry’s ear about later. That’s just something else we’re talking about," Irvin said.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio didn't even sound turned off by the idea like media members have.

"Jerry deftly changed the subject. But the cat is out of the bag. Irvin wants Deion to coach the Cowboys. Jones’s football team could do a lot worse. Frankly, based on the performance of his team in 2024, it currently is," Florio wrote.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini had seemingly put this rumor to bed.

"After having conversations around the league this week of, 'Is this real? Are we really doing this?' At this point right now, this is all chitchat," Russini said (h/t The Coloradoan). "Because he wants to stay in college. He wants to stay in college.

"Here's how I look at it. I don't think he realizes if there is an owner that really wants to bring him on they are going to write him a big fat check, especially some of these newer owners. ... I just think a lot of this is for excitement and good conversation on television and YouTube for people to just debate."

But now? Now there's seemingly reason to worry.

Jerry Jones likely just put out feeler on how Cowboys fans feel about Deion Sanders

Before, Coach Prime as the Cowboys' head coach was just an internet rumor. Now, with Jones likely blessing Irvin saying that in "Jerry World" while on a star-studded panel, there's real, tangible fire to that smoke.

For all we know, Sanders could've been in on it. The two did just connect for an FS1 segment.

This might have been Jones's way of sending out a feeler to the fanbase to see if Sanders would be accepted by the masses. At an event like this, such a message could only be seen as deliberate as possible for all involved.

Buffs fans should feel a pit in their stomachs.