Football and basketball have a bunch of transitive properties. However, an ugly one may be rearing its head. There is an underlying theme simmering along that’s been put a lid on. But it keeps boiling over and making a mess. The sensitive topic of nepotism became part of the discourse in the wake of Bronny James being drafted by the Lakers. A year on, Shilo Sanders may be verging on becoming the next beneficiary of his athletic lineage.

Deion Sanders is a HOFer and one of the most popular figures across American sports. Naturally, he’s got a certain reverence and stature within important circles. Conversely, Shilo Sanders hasn’t quite merited being drafted to the NFL. On his own accord, at least. In an effort to raise the chances of his son’s selection, Deion may be using his own leverage with the powers that be. Not merely the leverage he gained as a superstar in the league, but which he’s gained on the sidelines in Boulder, Colorado.

There’ve been tangible links made between Deion Sanders and vacant head coaching roles across the NFL. The most notable one which has gained maximum traction is the Dallas Cowboys. Now, Deion has expressed his desire, multiple times, to coach Shedeur and Shilo in the NFL. Shedeur is the more key piece in this since teams that have a void at head coach are usually ones picking towards the top of the draft pecking order. This is where Shedeur’s stock ranks- conservatively a top 5 pick. Therefore, there’s been a prevalent notion that whichever franchise drafts Shedeur incrementally increases its chances of getting Deion, too. However, one expert with his finger on the pulse of all things Deion suggests people are quite literally failing to read between the lines.

Rich Eisen, over on his namesake show, spoke about Deion Sanders’ potential foray into the NFL. He brought up the Shilo and Shedeur part of the equation to suggest how Deion may be construing teams’ interest in him to actually propel Shilo into the league. “I think what Deion said the other day, that he wants to ‘coach his sons,’ plural… I’m, I guess, maybe more fluent in [understanding] Deion than others, having worked with him for as much as I did. I took that to mean, ‘Hey everybody, you’re all talking about Shedeur, which is great. I got Shilo coming out too, and this guy is draftable in the same way. Don’t forget about Shilo either.’” said Eisen. So what does this imply?

If a team wishes to lure Deion, there’s a conspicuous path. All they’ve got to do is use a relatively low pick on Shilo Sanders, and the chances increase exponentially. Deion, perhaps half wants the chance to link his son/s in the NFL, and half just wants somebody to punt on Shilo with hopes he can tag along Coach Prime as an ancillary. It’s akin to how teams were flirting with the idea of drafting Bronny before he merited. Off the small chance that it makes LeBron come in free agency.

Shilo probably needs all the help he can get. Apart from his talent, his attitude has also been called into question. We’ve known Deion Sanders to play football as well as baseball, a multisport phenom. But he’s seemingly delved into some chess, too, with this one. If the entire trifecta wishes to converge in the pros though, it cannot happen at America’s team.

The most prominent candidate cannot bring the Sanders reunion work

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly interested in hiring Deion. However, they have no tangible route to landing Shedeur Sanders. They hold the 12th pick in the draft, well past when he’s likely to get off the board. As much maneuvering as they do, ascending that many spots up the draft is pretty unfathomable. Even if they managed to, there’s a Dak Prescott-shaped cloud looming over this ordeal.

Of all the decisions Jerry made in the preseason, the most abiding one was the very last one he made. On the eve of the NFL season beginning, QB1 Dak Prescott signed the most lucrative contract in league history. 4 years, $240 Million. Plus, a no-trade clause for good measure. So, does Jerry bite the proverbial bullet on Dak’s contract to reconcile with Prime and his sons? That will induce over a $100 million cap hit. This will subsequently handicap the franchise for years to come, rendering the whole operation futile. So, realistically, no. Jerry indeed lines up Dak under the center.

That said, you can’t put it past this franchise to chase the fanfare and publicity that will come with having a “Sanders” lining up with the iconic star on their jersey at Jerry World. On top of an already legendary one on the sideline. Even if It’s Shilo, perceivably the lesser of the two siblings. With Jerry Jones and the Sanders clan involved, nothing is out of the realm of possibilities.