Cowboys icon Troy Aikman explains how and why he helped Dolphins in search for new GM

The Miami Dolphins have a new general manager, thanks in part to Cowboys legendary quarterback Troy Aikman.

Aikman, former quarterback and Super Bowl-winner and current ESPN broadcaster, was tapped last week as a consultant in the Dolphins’ search for a GM after Miami’s midseason parting of the ways with Chris Grier.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman speaks at a press conference after the...

The search reportedly came to a close on Friday as the Dolphins are expected to hire former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan for the role.

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According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Sullivan was Aikman’s favorite among the candidates for the job.

It goes to show the gravity a voice like Aikman holds in a room of football people, which was perhaps one of the reasons the Dolphins requested Aikman weigh in on the process in the first place.

Aikman spoke about his role with the Dolphins in his weekly visit on the Musers on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) and explained why he decided to pitch in, and what he did for Miami to help its front office reach a decision.

See what Aikman had to say below.

*Note: This interview took place shortly before reports of the Dolphins hiring Sullivan.

Question: “How did you get involved in the search?”

Aikman: “Well, it was a few weeks ago I got a message from someone that I didn’t recognize the number, apparently one of the people with the Dolphins had reached out to a number of people wondering who might be a good fit for them to help in their GM search. And my name had come up a few different times, so they reached out and asked if I’d be a part of it. So I told them I would, and I dove into it at that time. …

“I think at first I wanted to make sure that I could provide them what it was that they were hoping I could. I gave it some thought, and as I dove into it and talked to more people I became more and more confident that I could, so off we went.”

Question: “I’ve heard this from a number of fans: Did Jerry lose Troy’s number or something?”

Aikman: [Laughs] “Well, what’s interesting — and I don’t want to speak on behalf of the Dolphins, but from my perspective it made sense — I feel like I’ve got access to unique information, and in addition to that, unique experiences. From the broadcasting side of it, I’ve made so many relationships around the league after 25 years, and have a number of friends, whether it’s GMs, head coaches, offensive coordinators, whatever it might be. That’s what Miami really wanted to tap into, and I feel like it has served them well.

“I think the experiences I went through in Dallas as a player. You know, seeing an organization that was the worst team in football when I joined them. We were [the worst], even after my first year, as you all know. But seeing how and why we were able to pull it together and do what we were able to do and win three Super Bowls. And then what happened on the tail end of my career, when we weren’t having success, and I guess what’s happened since.

“So, [it was] me just kind of taking a hard look at everything that’s been happening within the Dolphins organization, and trying to offer my opinions or my thoughts whenever possible, or at least whenever asked.

“The Washington Commanders two years ago went through a similar process with a guy named Bob Myers, who had served as a GM for [the Golden State Warriors]. UCLA guy. They felt like that process for them went really well. Who knows, maybe we’ll see more of this, I’m not quite sure. I know [former Falcons QB] Matt Ryan’s being talked about for a position there in Atlanta.

“That’s a long-winded answer of not really answering your question but, no. I have not heard from Jerry, to answer your question, whenever there has been a search for a head coach, or some other position.”

Click here to listen to the full interview.

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