Troy Aikman's ESPN 'Goodbye': One Last Chance For Jerry Jones' Cowboys?

Troy Aikman never needed to worry about being a free agent when he was quarterbacking the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles in the 90s.

Now, after venturing into broadcasting for the past two-and-a-half decades and becoming an icon in a second profession, his third act is nearing uncharted waters.

Reports surfaced this week that the wildly popular ESPN color commentator for Monday Night Football has enngaged in a rift with longtime pal and professional partner, play-by-play veteran Joe Buck.

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Buck recently accepted a nine-figure contract extension from the network, while Aikman - shockingly, to us - has yet to receive a similar offer, despite his contract with ESPN expiring at the end of the 2026 NFL season.

"I don't know that it's hard to figure out kind of what's happened, but you know, I'll broadcast through this season and I'll be a free agent at the end of the year and kind of see what happens," Aikman said Thursday  on The Ticket in Dallas, confirming the reported tension.

"But I'm looking forward to whatever the rest of this year does hold and with the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot might be."

And yes, Cowboys Nation, we know your next natural question: Does Aikman's "next landing spot'' have to be in broadcasting? What if he'd like to use his "consultant'' role with the Miami Dolphins as a springboard to becoming an NFL team's GM?

And would Cowboys owner ever budge on the idea of reuniting Aikman with the NFL franchise he truly loves?

ESPN is set to cover its first Super Bowl this February with Buck and Aikman on the call. With broadcasting rights, innovation in the industry and big-name players like Prime Video, CBS, FOX and NBC likely eyeing the situation, there is a lot riding on the rest of Aikman's season.

The Hall of Fame quarterback is not the only Cowboys great to dip into the media. Notably, former Dallas coach Jason Garrett is a studio analyst at NBC, and ex-QB Tony Romo was a polarizing but successful voice for CBS. Keyword: was. Romo and the network recently parted ways after his involvement in an arrest in Wisconsin, where Romo was under the influence of alcohol while behind the wheel.

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Aikman has long talked of the idea of helping to run an NFL team. In addition to his broadcasting duties, he's busy as the founder of EIGHT beer (among a number of business interests) and he's a leader in the charity world in Dallas.

Aikman can make $18 million salary as a broadcaster; that's not the same sort of money a GM makes. But Aikman, his two daughters all grown up, will turn 60 in November and can afford to carve out whatever future he wishes for himself.

For now, Buck and Aikman are lined up to call 12 more Monday Night Football contests this season, starting in Week 6 with the Washington Commanders playing at the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cowboys play on Monday night in Week 7 at the Philadelphia Eagles, as it happens. ... which might be a good chance for Aikman and Jones to settle their differences, bond just a little bit over their shared love of Dallas and the Cowboys, and discuss the future.

You know, just in case.