Cowboys Icon Troy Aikman Discusses Future: What's 'In His Blood'?

Troy Aikman is a free agent, his post-football career at a crossroads as he evaluates his status as a TV star vs. the other "frontiers,'' as he puts it, that await him.

And in my exclusive Video Visit with the iconic Dallas Cowboys QB, Hall-of-Famer and 25-year lead TV analyst, he responded in depth to a simple question about his future.

"Football and sports are in your blood,'' I said. "Is TV broadcasting in your blood, too?''

Responded Aikman: "You know, I've never been asked the question that way before ... “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. 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.''

Aikman's work on "Monday Night Football'' could be "taken away'' because he's in the final year of his deal. Play-by-play partner Joe Buck received a six-year extension worth more than $100 million earlier this year, but the expected similar contract for Aikman has (for some inexplicable reason) not come together.

Said Aikman: "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.”

And ... then what?

My story on Aikman reconnecting with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and joining the team's front office has gotten a great deal of understandable traction; it's a Cowboys fan's dream.

"I would welcome any conversation with Jerry,'' Aikman told me. "If Jerry came to me and felt in his heart that I could lend some services that would help make them better, I'd have a hard time not taking a good look at that. ...

"We go back a long way. We've been through a lot. Our relationship is complicated, even he would agree with that, but it is one I believe that is built on respect.''

The respect for Aikman in NFL circles expands well beyond Dallas, of course; I'd assume he'd be an attractive hire for most any franchise. He also stays busy with an assortment of charity efforts and business endeavors, including being hands-on with his Eight Beer brand.

“I’m still young. I feel great,” said Aikman, remarkably fit at 59. “I do feel there’s another frontier. Maybe that’s Eight Beer. Maybe that’s what that is. I started it since I first made those comments. But I still believe it could very well be something else. And what that might be ... I’m not real sure.

“Maybe it’s a continuation of broadcasting with some other network, which would be exciting to me. Maybe it’s doing some work with an organization. I really enjoyed the time that I spent (as a consultant) with the Miami Dolphins this past offseason. Maybe there could be something there if nothing comes about in broadcasting. Or who knows what might happen.

"But, for the first time, I’m kinda open for business, and I’m looking forward to figuring out what those options might be.”