Troy Aikman discusses ESPN contract situation and status of ‘Monday Night Football’ amid rumors about future

Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman may have revealed his future on Monday Night Football.

During an appearance on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas (via Joseph Hoyt of Dallas Morning News), Aikman responded to a report from Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel about “tensions” between him and his longtime broadcast partner, Joe Buck.

“There’s probably a time and a place for all of this. I don’t know if this is the time,” Aikman said. “I don’t know if it’s hard to understand what happened. I’m going to broadcast this season and I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year and I’ll see what happens. I’m looking forward to whatever the rest of this season has in store for us, the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot might be.”

Whether intentional or not, the retired quarterback has seemingly revealed a lot while trying to avoid directly addressing his long-term status. He doesn’t look like someone who is considering signing a new contract imminently after Buck has already done so.

Aikman began his broadcasting career at Fox in 2001, the year after his playing career ended. He began working alongside Buck in 2002, and they jumped ship together to ESPN and Monday Night Football in 2022.

According to Glasspiegel, Aikman’s contract is at the heart of the discord: “There have been unspoken tensions between the partners, with one having a new contract while the other, Aikman, has not received a formal offer.”

Beyond the financial component, this could be a byproduct of Aikman and Buck’s long collaboration. Maybe they are ready to change after more than 20 years.

ESPN has spent big to bring some stability to its network. FMN released after years of turnover. Now he could be back looking for a lead commentator.