Ever since Jason Garrett's early struggles with the Cowboys from 2010-12, Sean Payton's name has been linked to the most iconic franchise in football.Thanks in part to Payton's stint as a sistant head coach for Dallas from 2003-05, any time a list of potential coaching replacements has bubbled up, Payton's name has been near the top. Now, with the Cowboys defeating the Buccaneers in the playoffs in what some deemed a do-or-die game for Mike McCarthy, and with Payton being, for all intents and purposes, a free agent, those rumors -- which increased exponentially -- have fizzled.MORE:Despite interest from numerous teams most seriously, Nazem Kadri Women Jersey the Cardinals, Broncos and Texans, per reports Payton to the Cowboys remains a conversation topic. After taking a year off from the league, the question no longer is ifPayton comes out of retirement, but for whom will he do it.Worth noting: Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in his most recent weekly radio appearance that the Dallas job will not be available regardle s of what happens against the Buccaneers.Asked on 105.3 The Fan if a lo s to Tampa Bay could impact Mike McCarthys job status, Jerry Jones said, No. I dont even want Trevor Lewis Youth Jersey to No. Thats it. I dont need to go into all the plu ses or minuses. Ive got a lot more to evaluate Mike McCarthy on than this playoff game. Todd Archer (@toddarcher) Jones reaffirmed that sentiment after Monday's win.Jerry Jones when asked about finally being able to put the constant Sean Payton speculation to bed Jon Machota (@jonmachota) Jones, of course, can't say McCarthy's future with the club is on the line, but that doesn't nece sarily mean he's lying.MORE: Sean Payton to the Cowboys has been speculated Vladislav Kamenev Women Jersey about since they went 6-10, 8-8 and 8-8 in Garrett's first three seasons in Dallas.Early instances of Payton-to-Cowboys rumors can be found in 2012, the idea is "very much grounded in reality." From there, it festered throughout Garrett's tenure following disappointing season after disappointing season.In 2019, "I've got fleur-de-lis tattoos that can't be erased" ahead of that season.MORE:Those tattoos, however, look awfully faded now. After taking a year off, it seems as if Payton has control over where he ends up. in September, but perhaps a long season since then has changed his mind.NFL pundit Kyle Brandt certainly isn't taking Payton at his word, saying that Payton no doubt is interested in the Cowboys job."If the Cowboys lose to Tampa on Monday night, I think Sean Payton will be the Head Coach within a week.": Colton Sceviour Jersey Kyle Brandts Basement (@KBBasement) It must be said, however, that the "rumors" surrounding Payton to the Cowboys are hardly rumors at all. They're closer to educated gue ses. With the Cowboys defeating the Buccaneers, they become moot at least for a week. But the bidding curve for Payton is on the upward swing. The longer the rumors linger, the higher the cost goes, at least for the remainder of the postseason.The Texans, Broncos and Cardinals have a head start, and (Payton will meet with owner David Tepper this week in New Corey Perry Jersey York). But if the Cowboys enter the fray, expect them to barrel into the conversation with all the subtlety Jones has become so famous for, which is to say, none at all.