Cowboys' Jerry Jones Hints At Hiring Troy Aikman For ‘Major Role’

Troy Aikman's recent visit with me seems to have some wheels turning in a direction that would delight fans of the Dallas Cowboys.

Could the Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman really return to the Cowboys in a major organizational role alongside owner Jerry Jones?

Yes,'' Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas when asked by host Shan Shariff about the idea of hiring the franchise legend. “I could and would. 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 comments from Jones - who has sometimes over the years been sharply criticized by Aikman for the owner's overseeing of a franchise that hasn't won a Super Bowl in over 30 years, dating back to the time when Jones and AIkman were key figures in Dallas' trio of titles in the '90's - were sparked by Aikman's comments to me regarding a reunion.

"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 could help make them better, I'd have a hard time not taking a good look at that.''

As it happens, Aikman (in his role as the analyst on ESPN's "Monday Night Football'' and Jones were together on Monday night before Dallas' 38-21 win at Philadelphia. The two visited on the sideline before kickoff.

Aikman, 59, has been open about the fact that his ESPN contract is set to expire at the end of the season and that he is open to taking his career in new directions.

“I’m still young. I feel great,” said Aikman. “I do feel there’s another frontier. ... For the first time, I’m kinda open for business, and I’m looking forward to figuring out what those options might be.”

To my knowledge, there is nothing imminent here. As Jerry said, "The answer is not that necessarily we're going to do something more direct with the team at this time, but don't rule it out. It's very possible.''

But given the way Jones and Aikman have sometimes clashed, the positive vibe between the two is notable enough.

As Aikman told me, "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.''

Aikman remains one of the most celebrated players in Cowboys history. ... and one of the most respected figures in sports. As was made clear in our visit, he's devoted to Dallas, he retains a love for the Cowboys and his affection for the Jones family is now clearer that ever.

I know that he wouldn't want to be "just a figurehead.'' So any role he would take with the Cowboys would have to be a legitimate one - a possible challenge because Jones serves as his own GM. ... and while he is skilled at gathering information before making final decisions, his style might not ever jive with Aikman's.

And yet ...

"Troy is a successful guy because he is one of the hardest working, most focused people that I've ever been around,'' Jones said. "I think the world of him.''