Troy Aikman, the legend himself, is telling folks there is just a “50-50” chance he will even be a broadcaster next season, and you know Jerry Jones is already out here ready to pounce. It sounds like the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback might be looking for a new gig after 25 years in the booth, and the Cowboys owner is not shy about wanting him back in Dallas, just in a different uniform.
The Broadcast Booth is Getting Dicey for Aikman
Listen, Aikman has been the voice of Monday Night Football for ages, paired up with Joe Buck for what feels like forever. But the chatter is loud: there’s reported friction, especially after Buck snagged a new six-year deal with ESPN to keep calling play-by-play. Aikman, meanwhile, is in the final year of his contract and hasn’t seen a formal offer in the last year. This isn’t some quiet rumor, folks. Tim Cowlishaw reports that Aikman himself said on Wednesday that his return to broadcasting next season is basically a toss-up. That’s a huge shift, and it opens up some wild possibilities for his next move.
Jerry Jones Ain’t Playin’: He Wants His Guy Back
So, what happens if Aikman steps away from the mic? Jerry Jones is making it abundantly clear there’s an open door in Dallas. When asked about potentially adding Aikman to the Cowboys’ front office, Jones didn’t hesitate. He said he “could and would.” That’s not a ‘maybe,’ that’s a ‘let’s go!’ Jones praised Aikman big time, calling him “one of the hardest working, most focused people that I’ve ever been around.” He added that Aikman is “outstanding” and that while a direct role isn’t necessarily happening “at this time,” fans shouldn’t rule it out, because “it’s very possible.” That’s straight from Cowboys team reporter Tommy Yarrish, and it tells you everything you need to know about where Jones’s head is at.
What a Front Office Role Could Mean for Dallas
This isn’t just some pipe dream, either. Aikman already served as a consultant for the Miami Dolphins front office last offseason, so he’s dipped his toes in those waters. Plus, we’ve seen this movie before with John Lynch, who went from being a color commentator at Fox to becoming the San Francisco 49ers general manager in 2017. And how’s that worked out? The 49ers have been to two Super Bowls since Lynch took over. Aikman, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, is 59 now. The idea of him helping identify and draft the next generation of Cowboys talent is definitely intriguing. He’s still under contract with ESPN and is set to call the Super Bowl in February, but he’s not shutting the door on Jerry. Reuters reported last Friday that Aikman said, “I would welcome any conversation with Jerry,” and that he’d “have a hard time not taking a good look at that” if Jones felt he could help make the team better. The Cowboys haven’t made it to the NFC Championship since the 1995 season, and for a team that’s always in the headlines but currently sitting at 3-, a fresh face with a legendary history, whom Jones clearly trusts, could be just what they need. You gotta wonder if this shake-up could be the jolt the Dallas faithful have been waiting for.
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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