Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has spoken openly for years about wanting to work in an NFL front office. He took a half-step in that direction last year, becoming a consultant to the Dolphins and continuing to work for the team while also working for Monday Night Football.
In March, Aikman spoke openly about The lack of historical interest in the Cowboys in the continuation of its services. Now that Aikman’s time with ESPN appears to be coming to an end, Aikman appears to be extending an olive branch to Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Asked by Mike Fisher if Aikman would break bread with Jerry Jones, Aikman had this to say: “I would have lunch, breakfast or dinner with Jerry whenever he wanted. And it wouldn’t necessarily be because it’s a job interview. Just because, you know, we go back a long way. . . . I came in, I was 22 years old. I was his very first draft pick. There’s a lot to that relationship, going back the beginning, when he started as an owner, When I started my career in the NFL as a quarterback for 12 years of my life, playing for him, and then, even in the years that followed, you know, we went through some very strong times, we also went through some pretty difficult times. Our relationship is complicated, but it’s built, I believe, on respect. So, yes, I would appreciate any conversation with Jerry, and quite honestly, I don’t know if there would be, or. if there would ever be an opportunity. But if Jerry came to me and felt that in his heart I could lend them some service that would help them improve, I would. I would have a hard time not paying attention.”
Jones actually spoke glowingly about Aikman during the NFL’s quarterly owners’ meetings this week.
“Troy is very capableand he’s so, relatively speaking, he’s in his youth in his career,” Jones said. “And he’s very capable of doing any of many things, certainly anything that has to do with football. I don’t know of any field where you can’t feel that kind of feeling, I don’t know of any field that Troy Aikman wouldn’t be qualified and competent to go into.
Aikman’s current role with the Dolphins remains fluid and undefined, but it was enough to prompt the NFL to impose Tom Brady-style restrictions on his ability to enter other teams’ facilities or attend practices before Monday night games.
Despite Aikman’s unfulfilled aspiration to work in a front office, he seems to realize that his tenure as a broadcaster might be coming to an end — and he apparently has some regrets about it.
“As I enter my final year at ESPN, I realize that this is something that could very well be taken away from me“Aikman told Fisher, via Tyler Lauletta of Horrible announcement. “For the first time, I realize how much I really do something – I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve always known that. But until you’re in danger of having something taken away from you, I think sometimes you tend to take things for granted.
“And so, probably for the first time in my career, I realize, you know, this is a great profession. It’s been a great journey for me, and I hope it’s not over. Time will tell. But yeah. So, we’ll see. I’m excited about what the rest of this year has in store for us, and I can’t wait to finally get back in the booth for a Super Bowl.”
While CBS has already decided to make JJ Watt the full-time replacement for Tony Romo, there may not be a prestigious (and well-paid) seat for Aikman in 2027. If he really wants to continue calling games, the best place might be Greg Olsen’s current position as the NFL’s No. 2 announcer on Fox. And the money that goes with this mission.
It’s still unclear why ESPN apparently took a turn for the worse toward Aikman. Perhaps he overplayed his hand, apparently asking $30 million per year. Maybe ESPN wasn’t thrilled with his moonlighting in Miami, especially since it complicated his ability to be as prepared as possible to call games. (It’s also possible that Aikman took the Dolphins job before it was run by anyone at ESPN, which, if accurate, would tend to damage the relationship between ESPN and Aikman.)
Either way, Aikman is now making it known that his upcoming free agency is about more than broadcasting. He’s also officially in play for the Cowboys or any other team that might consider hiring him.
Gn sports
