The Iron Bowl is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports.
Former Auburn Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is known for his candid opinions, and his latest speculation regarding the Dallas Cowboys and Nick Saban is certainly intriguing.
During an appearance on First Take, Newton proposed that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might have a long-term strategy that involves tanking in 2025 to secure Arch Manning as the franchise quarterback, and then convincing Saban to come out of retirement to coach the team.
Newton expressed skepticism about Dallas promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, labeling him as a “one-and-done” hire. He believes the Cowboys are preparing for a challenging 2025 season that could result in them securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which would ideally put Texas quarterback Arch Manning in Jones’ sights.
“I think they’re tanking for Arch. It makes sense,” Newton stated via On3. “Coach Schottenheimer is destined for a short tenure… Jerry Jones is a savvy businessman, and he might adopt a Don Corleone approach to secure a deal that’s hard to refuse—who? Nick Saban. Go and hire Nick Saban as your head coach and make Arch Manning your top pick.”
Stephen A. Smith, known for his critical takes, actually entertained Newton’s idea, admitting, “I don’t know that he’s wrong.” The prospect of pairing Manning and Saban—both associated with college football greatness—certainly grabs attention, especially considering Dak Prescott recently signed a substantial contract extension.
This raises the question: Would Saban even contemplate coaching in the NFL again? The legendary coach retired after a successful tenure at Alabama, and his previous stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins was not particularly successful. Nevertheless, Jerry Jones is known for his ability to broker deals that are hard to resist.
For now, though, this can be categorized as just another “wild theory” rather than a serious possibility.
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