Troy Aikman may be soon circling back to old friends as his career hits an uncertain crossroads.
Prior to Monday’s Cowboys-Eagles clash in Philadelphia, the former Dallas quarterback took some time to catch up with Jerry Jones as his current ESPN contract as the analyst voice behind “Monday Night Football” along with Joe Buck is set to expire at the end of the season.
He has yet to be approached for an extension, unlike his booth partner of 25 seasons.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones poses with former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman before a game between the Cowboys and the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Getty Images
Jones said Tuesday that the idea of teaming up with Aikman again is “very possible” and deemed him “certainly qualified” for an NFL front office during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
“Yes, I could and would,” Jones said regarding if he’s open to Aikman taking up a role within the organization. “It’s that simple because I do think that much of him with his basic command and knowledge of NFL football. He’s certainly qualified to do anything mentioned. He’s outstanding.
“The answer is not necessarily that we’re going to do anything more direct with the team at this time, but don’t rule it out. It is very possible.”
In September, Buck received a six-year, $108 million contract extension to remain as the play-by-play voice of ESPN’s NFL coverage.
Earlier this month before the Rams-Bills game, Buck and Aikman had an argument over the contracts and lack thereof for the latter.
Puck reported that Aikman felt it was “the ultimate act of betrayal.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stands with quarterback Troy Aikman before a football game against the Green Bay Packers in Irving, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 24, 1994. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima
Aikman, 59, has been speaking publicly, suggesting his time with the network will end after the Super Bowl.
He is open to new paths and previously said he would have “a hard time not taking a good look” at an opportunity to work with his former team of 12 years that included three Super Bowls.
“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,” the Hall of Famer told Mike Fischer last week. “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.”
ESPN analyst Troy Aikman looks on prior to a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Getty Images
Aikman, who was Jones’ first draft pick as Cowboys owner in 1989, served as a consultant for the Dolphins during their search for coach and GM during the offseason.
Front Office Sports previously reported that he does not have a “formal and ongoing agreement” with Miami.
What was once an open role is now locked in as CBS committed to JJ Watt as its top game analyst alongside Jim Nantz. Tom Brady and Cris Collinsworth are also solid at Fox and NBC, respecitively.
Kirk Herbstreit also signed a new deal with Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football,” yet the streamer does have an out if a top candidate becomes available, per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.