Troy Aikman Weighs ESPN Future, Opens Door to Cowboys Reunion

WHO:

NBC Sports - Troy Aikman is a Hall of Fame quarterback, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, an ESPN broadcaster for *Monday Night Football*, and a consultant to the Miami Dolphins.

NBC Sports - Jerry Jones is the Cowboys’ owner and general manager. Aikman said Jones was the team’s owner when Aikman began his NFL career and that he was Jones’s first draft pick.

NBC Sports - Aikman said he joined the Cowboys at age 22 and played quarterback for Jones for 12 years.

NBC Sports - Aikman described his relationship with Jones as “complicated” but “built, I believe, on respect.”

NBC Sports - Aikman said Jones had recently made “some really kind” comments about him.

NBC Sports - Jones said Aikman was “very capable” of doing many things related to football and was “qualified and competent” for a range of roles.

Pro Football Network - The article identifies Jimmy Traina as a media analyst who questioned why ESPN had not offered Aikman a contract extension.

Pro Football Network - The articles describe Aikman’s relationship with ESPN as uncertain amid contract-related developments.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Asked whether he would meet with Jones, Aikman said, “I would have lunch, breakfast, or dinner with Jerry any time he wants it,” adding that a meeting “wouldn’t necessarily have to be because it’s a job interview.”

NBC Sports - Aikman said that if Jones believed he could help the Cowboys, “I’d have a hard time not taking a good look at that.”

NBC Sports - Aikman said, “As I’m into my last year at ESPN,” he was realizing broadcasting “could very well be taken away from me.” He said, “I hope it’s not over,” and that he was looking forward to returning to the booth for a Super Bowl.

NBC Sports - Aikman’s Dolphins consulting role remained “fluid and undefined,” while he continued working for the team and calling *Monday Night Football*.

NBC Sports - The NFL imposed restrictions on Aikman’s access to other teams’ facilities and practices before Monday night games, described by NBC Sports as similar to restrictions on Tom Brady.

NBC Sports - CBS had decided to make J.J. Watt the full-time replacement for Tony Romo. NBC Sports reported that Aikman might not have a high-profile broadcasting position in 2027 and identified Greg Olsen’s No. 2 NFL announcing role at Fox as a possible opening.

Pro Football Network - One headline characterized Aikman’s ESPN status as “lame-duck” amid contract drama; another said Traina believed ESPN should sign him.

WHY:

NBC Sports - Aikman said the possibility of losing broadcasting made him recognize how much he valued the profession, which he said he may have taken for granted.

NBC Sports - NBC Sports said it was unclear why ESPN had apparently soured on Aikman; it cited reports that he sought $30 million per year and suggested his Dolphins work may have complicated his preparation for broadcasts.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Aikman told Mike Fisher about his willingness to meet Jones; NBC Sports attributed Aikman’s comments about ESPN to Fisher, via Tyler Lauletta of *Awful Announcing*.

NBC Sports - Jones praised Aikman during the NFL’s quarterly ownership meetings.

Troy Aikman says he would be open to discussing a role with the Dallas Cowboys, as uncertainty grows around his future in broadcasting. The Hall of Fame quarterback said he would meet with owner and general manager Jerry Jones for a meal anytime, though it would not have to be a job interview. Aikman said that if Jones thought he could help the team, he would have a hard time not considering it. He joined Dallas at 22 as Jones’s first draft pick and played for him for 12 years. Aikman called their relationship complicated but built on respect, and Jones recently praised his abilities. Aikman says he is in his final year at ESPN and hopes to keep calling games, including a Super Bowl. His Dolphins consulting work remains undefined, while reports say ESPN’s contract plans are uncertain and his preparation may be complicated by the role.