NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Paul Finebaum. © Shanna Lockwood-Imagn Images

Paul Finebaum Reveals If He Believes the Steve Sarkisian-NFL Rumor

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 7:14 PM ET

Key Points

A report linked Steve Sarkisian to potential NFL openings, including the Titans.
Sarkisian and his agent denied the rumors, calling them “patently false.”
Paul Finebaum says he believes there may still be truth behind the report.

One of the biggest storylines this weekend regarded Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and the NFL.

Dianna Russini of "The Athletic" reported that representatives for Sarkisian have informed NFL decision-makers of his interest in head coaching openings, including the Tennessee Titans. Sarkisian's agent, Jimmy Sexton, quickly dismissed the rumors. In a statement, Sexton said, “Any reports regarding communications on coaching opportunities with NFL teams are patently false and wildly inaccurate. Sark is solely focused on coaching the University of Texas football team.”

Sarkisian dismissed the rumor during his postgame press conference after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs 45-38 in overtime.

"It really (expletive) me off that one person can make a report that in turn, the entire media sports world runs with as factual," he said. "To the point of my agency and my agents have to put a statement out, that they have never done, historically. I had to do that to protect my locker room and my team. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I thought it was completely unprofessional of that person to put that report out.

"And the fact that everybody ran with it is borderline embarrassing for the media. I respect what you guys do, I really do, and everybody else, but the fact that everybody ran that as truth is really embarrassing. I've got a small circle, and when I make decisions on what I do and what I don't do. Nobody would speak on my behalf without me knowing."

Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian.© Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sarkisian has connections in the NFL. He worked as a quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004 and served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018. On "The Matt Barrie Show," ESPN's Paul Finebaum suggested that he believes the rumors about Sarkisian may be true, despite Sarkisian's denials.

"I tend to believe the story, only because why would Sark be trying to leverage his situation in a very bad year?" Finebaum said. "He's been to the semifinals two years in a row. This is not when you play the game, 'OK, I'm going to try to get a raise.' Sometimes these things are not meant to get out. Sometimes they are intentionally meant to get out."

If he decides to pursue the NFL, he would have to work around a hefty contract. With a salary of $10.8 million for this season, Sarkisian's contract totals $75.8 million through the 2031 season. In addition to receiving a pay increase as part of his new agreement, his buyout also increased significantly, rising from 70% of what he was owed to 85%. This adjustment means that entering this season, his buyout reached $64.4 million. If the team chose to fire him during the season, USA Today reports that his buyout amount as of Dec. 1, 2025, would be $60.3 million.

If Texas decides to fire him after this season but before 2026, he would be owed $55.25 million. While this is a substantial amount of money, it wouldn't be the highest payout made by a team in Texas. Recently, Texas A&M paid Jimbo Fisher $75 million to leave College Station.

Whether the rumors are true or not, the speculation around Sarkisian’s future highlights the growing tension in Austin after a turbulent start to the season. Texas entered the year ranked No. 1 and is now No. 20 and 6-2 on the year. With a massive contract and lofty expectations, every move Sarkisian makes will be scrutinized, especially if Texas continues to struggle. If the Longhorns rebound down the stretch, this saga could fade. But if they falter, the NFL whispers, and Finebaum’s doubts, will only grow louder.

Texas takes on the No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday at noon ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: