Troy Aikman is hitting the open market, folks. If we’re taking the Pro Football Hall of Famer at his word, he and ESPN won’t be hammering out a contract extension before he calls Super Bowl 61 on February 14, 2027. That’s a huge deal, especially since it’ll be ESPN’s first time airing the big game! Aikman, 59, made it crystal clear during a weekly appearance on a Dallas radio station when he said, “I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year and kind of see what happens.”
That quote dropped right after a reported dust-up with Joe Buck before the Buffalo Bills took down the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on October 12. Aikman added he’s “looking forward to whatever the rest of this season does hold and the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot may be.” So, where in the heck could Aikman end up next football season?
Amazon, CBS, Or A Wild Card Return?
If Aikman wants to keep calling games, Amazon Prime Video looks like the most logical spot. Kirk Herbstreit, who’s their analyst for “Thursday Night Football,” just re-upped with the streamer, and Al Michaels is back on a year-by-year basis. But The Athletic reported there’s an out in Herbstreit’s new deal that’s tied to Rams head coach Sean McVay. Could Amazon use similar language to bring in Aikman? It’s definitely something to watch!
Then there’s CBS. They recently parted ways with their own No. 1 analyst, who also happened to be a Dallas Cowboys quarterback: Tony Romo. JJ Watt has been filling in admirably alongside Jim Nantz in CBS’ top booth this season. But is Watt the long-term solution for CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson? That’s the million-dollar question. Here’s the kicker though: CBS just cut a massive check to Romo to make him go away. Aikman, deservedly, isn’t cheap. And shelling out another massive salary right after a significant corporate merger? That’s not an easy thing to just write off. Money talks, and it’s probably yelling pretty loud over there.
And what about staying at ESPN? Right now, it doesn’t look good. But come on, we all know contract negotiations take crazy turns. The odds might be minuscule, but who’s to say Aikman won’t be smiling next to Buck in the “MNF” booth Week 1 next season? Few would even blink an eye if that somehow happened.
An NFL Front Office Power Play?
Let’s not forget Aikman’s other moves outside the broadcast booth. He made headlines back in January for advising Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross during their search for a new general manager and head coach. That led to Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley getting hired. The league definitely noticed that arrangement, and Aikman actually spoke with Commissioner Roger Goodell about conflict-of-interest concerns. Sound familiar? Think Tom Brady, who owns a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders and now sits in Aikman’s old chair as FOX’s No. 1 game analyst. Aikman is respected across the entire league, so an NFL front office gig isn’t out of the realm of possibility at all.
So, as Troy Aikman broadcasts through this season and heads toward Super Bowl 61, the NFL broadcast world is holding its breath. What will he do? Keep an eye out after February 14, 2027, because wherever he lands, it’s going to make waves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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