Is Steve Sarkisian done with the Texas Longhorns? This is one of the biggest questions buzzing on the internet. On Saturday, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Steve Sarkisian’s interest in the NFL coaching job. But, Sarkisian’s agents denied claiming the reports are “patently false and wildly inaccurate.” Following that, the coach himself denied claiming that the report was “absolutely ridiculous” and “unprofessional”. As Sarkisian himself has denied the NFL rumors, the legendary sports author and columnist Paul Finebaum broke the silence, confirming Steve Sarkisian’s move.

“First of all, nobody believes anybody’s denial anymore. You and I know that,” Paul Finebaum said on ESPN’s Matt Barrie Show. “Sarkisian is now at least technically in play for the NFL. And does that help him? Yeah, I’m sure it probably does.” Sarkisian previously served as an offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2017 to 2018. He also worked as a quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004. Over the year’s he is known for developing high-profile quarterbacks, and the NFL teams have a trend of hiring valuable offensive innovators from the college ranks.

“If this season goes bust and he decides, and maybe Arch decides to do something else, I have no earthly idea what Arch Manning is going to do, but Sark might say, I’ve had enough of this,” claims Finebaum. He said that Sarkisian’s agents’ stint is just “to create a better market.” He claims that the report came from “a reputable reporter within the NFL circles.” He said that Jimmy denying the report is for “creating opportunities for his other clients who might be interested in the Texas job to get better deals and more money.”

It is the fifth season for Sarkisian with the Texas Longhorns, and he has a successful profile with a 43-19 record for the program. He registered 25 wins in just two seasons (2023 and 2024) and took the program to the playoffs in both seasons. He played a big role in moving the program from the Big 12 to the SEC conference. This season, he is leading the No. 22 Texas with a 5-2 record entering week 9, carrying big hopes of entering the playoffs for the third time in a row. It is also important to note that Sarkisian signed a four-year contract extension through 2030 and is earning $10.8 million this season.

Amid the swirling speculations, Sarkisian himself addressed the media about his NFL rumours.

Steve Sarkisian Addressed the NFL Report

“I’d love to touch on this, so bear with me for a second,” Sarkisian said. “It really pisses me off that one person can make a report that, in turn, the entire media sports world runs with as factual. To the point of my agency, my agents have to put a statement out that they have never done. Historically, CAA, Jimmy Sexton, and Ed Marynowitz have never had to do that.”

“But I had to do that to protect my locker room and my team.” Some of the big recruits in Texas, including Arch Manning, are recruited by Sarkisian. If Sarkisian’s rumors become true, there will be big changes in the locker room. “And 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’ve got a small circle when I make decisions on what I do and what I don’t do, and nobody would speak on my behalf without me knowing.”

With the mixed reports keeps the rumor remains more cloudy, we need to wait and watch what the future holds for Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns.