Byron Leftwich was involved in this year’s coaching cycle as he eyed a return to the NFL. The former Cardinals and Buccaneers offensive coordinator interviewed with the Seahawks for their OC posting, but it did not result in a hire. 
In March, it was reported Leftwich would join Colorado’s staff for 2025 in an unknown capacity. That could still prove to be the case, but head coach Deion Sanders‘ latest comments on the matter indicate a deal has not officially been made on that front. Sanders is still interested in adding Leftwich to his staff along with another veteran NFL coach.
“Our coaching staff, this is without Byron Leftwich, which I’m praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer, we have 160 years of NFL experience,” Sanders said at the Big 12 media day (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “With those two added, that’s 204 years of NFL experience. And I want those years.”
Leftwich last worked in the NFL in 2022. Bruce Arians‘ retirement following the previous season resulted in Todd Bowles being promoted to head coach. The Buccaneers’ offense saw a notable downturn in production, ranking 25th in points after a top-three finish in each of the previous three campaigns. Bowles elected to move on from Leftwich, who has been unable to land another NFL gig over the past two years. The 45-year-old was last in the college game in 2022, the final season of his playing career.
Zimmer was out of the NFL for two seasons after his tenure as head coach of the Vikings came to an end. In 2024, he reprised his previous role as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Zimmer’s tenure in Dallas was tied to that of head coach Mike McCarthy, however, so the team’s mass changes on the sidelines left him in need of a new opportunity. At the age of 69, Zimmer has been linked to retirement, and the end of his second Cowboys stint thus appeared to mark the end of his career.
Zimmer has previously expressed a desire to again work as an NFL head coach, although he has noted it is unlikely an opportunity will present itself on that front. The college ranks could allow him to continue his career, though. If he were to take that route, Colorado would be an obvious landing spot. Zimmer worked as a consultant for Sanders with the Buffaloes (and earlier at Jackson State) and his nephew Andrew is already on Colorado’s staff.
Sanders has Pat Shurmur in place as the offensive coordinator on his staff, one which also includes Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp. Plenty of notable names will be in place for 2025 regardless, but the staff could still add one or two more if Leftwich and/or Zimmer wind up taking positions for this season.
Deion is praying about a coaching decision? Imagine if God actually existed what a waste of its time this would be.
Praying about anything is not a waste of time. Any decision could be life changing, thus looking for guidance from God for you or someone else seems like a good use of one’s time
His point is God is pretty damn busy, if what you say is true. That being said, since people constantly give and ask for things through prayers, well, coaching decisions is probably pretty low on his list.
Deion The Conman
Byron is a good coach and got a raw deal in Tampa.
HUH !!!!!?
Shurmur and Zimmer are notable names, but neither are anything special. Pat has a really dated system and Zimmers defenses are always a disappointment.
It’s all good to have HOFers coaching on your team. But only if they know how to teach young men to play the game. Otherwise they’re just in the way. So many professional football players have a great deal of knowledge, but lack the people skills to pass it on. I’ve been around a few pro football and pro baseball players and instead of helping the kids they like to brag or tell stories. There’s a time and place for that and it’s not at practice.