Aikman Opens Door to Cowboys Role as Broadcast Career Potentially Ends

Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has long spoken about wanting to work in an NFL front office. He took a partial step toward that goal last year by becoming a consultant for the Miami Dolphins while still serving as an analyst for Monday Night Football.

In March, Aikman publicly criticized the Cowboys’ historical lack of interest in pursuing his services. Now that his time with ESPN appears to be drawing to a close, Aikman says he is extending an olive branch to Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

When asked by Mike Fisher if he would be willing to meet with Jones, Aikman replied, “I would have lunch, breakfast, or dinner with Jerry any time he wants it. And it wouldn’t necessarily have to 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 within that relationship, both from the beginning, when he began as the owner, when I began my NFL career as a quarterback for 12 years of my life, playing for him, and then, even in the years that have followed, you know, we’ve been through a lot. We’ve been through the highest of highs, we’ve been through some pretty tough moments as well. Our relationship is complicated. I think he would agree with that, but it is one that’s built, I believe, on respect. This week, he said some really kind things, which meant a lot to me, quite honestly. So, yeah, I would welcome any conversation with Jerry, and quite honestly I don’t know if there would be, or if there ever would be an opportunity. But if Jerry came to me and felt that, in his heart, I could lend some services that would help make them better, I would — I’d have a hard time not taking a good look at that.”

Jones did indeed speak glowingly about Aikman during this week’s quarterly NFL ownership meetings.

“Troy is very capable, and he’s so, really relatively speaking, he’s in his youth as careers go,” Jones said. “And he’s very capable of doing any one of a number of things, certainly anything to do with football. I don’t know of any area short of getting that kind of feeling, I don’t know of any area that Troy Aikman wouldn’t be qualified and competent to go into.”

Aikman’s current consulting role with the Dolphins remains fluid, prompting the NFL to impose Tom Brady‑style restrictions on his ability to enter other teams’ facilities or attend practices before Monday Night Football games.

Despite his unfulfilled aspiration to work in a front office, Aikman acknowledges that his broadcasting tenure may be ending and admits he is feeling regret over the prospect of losing the profession he loves.

“As I’m into my last year at ESPN, I’m realizing that this is something that could very well be taken away from me,” Aikman told Fisher, via Tyler Lauletta of Awful Announcing. “For the first time, I’m realizing how much I really do — I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve always known that. But until you risk having something taken away from you, I think sometimes you tend to maybe take things for granted. And so, for the first time probably in my career, I’m realizing, you know, this is a great profession. It’s been a great ride 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 holds, and I’m excited to finally get back into the booth for a Super Bowl.”

With CBS already set to make J.J. Watt the full‑time replacement for Tony Romo, there may not be a high‑profile (and high‑paying) seat for Aikman in 2027. The most plausible broadcast opportunity could be Greg Olsen’s current slot as the No. 2 NFL announcer on Fox, along with the associated compensation.

It remains unclear why ESPN appears to have soured on Aikman. Speculation includes his reported request for $30 million per year, concerns that his Miami side gig hampered his game preparation, and the possibility that he took the Dolphins position without consulting ESPN—actions that could have strained the relationship.

Regardless, Aikman’s upcoming free agency now extends beyond broadcasting; he is officially in play for the Cowboys or any other team that may consider hiring him.

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