‘He Didn’t Ask For It’: Troy Aikman Says He Backed Jerry Jones Into A Corner Over Dallas Cowboys Role

FRISCO, Texas — Troy Aikman said Thursday that his recent public comments about possibly working for the Dallas Cowboys put Jerry Jones in an unfair position. Aikman said he told Jones as much when the two spoke on the field before Monday night’s game in Philadelphia.

The comments came during Aikman’s weekly Thursday appearance with The Musers on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas. Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing reported them later in the day.

Last week, Aikman told Mike Fisher of Cowboys Roundtable that he would have lunch, breakfast, or dinner with Jones any time the owner wanted it. Aikman did that interview Friday, three days before the Cowboys visited Philadelphia.

“The last thing that I want is, I was answering a question, and I think it’s really unfair to Jerry that he then has to answer these questions,” Aikman said. “As far as, ‘Hey, would you bring Troy back, or would you have a role for him?’ I mean there’s no real good answer that he can give.”

Aikman called Monday’s game for ESPN, a 38-21 Dallas win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Before kickoff, he and Jones talked on the field at Lincoln Financial Field. Aikman said Thursday that the two are not in talks about a job.

“We briefly touched on it just because I felt that maybe I backed him into a corner that he didn’t deserve to be backed into,” Aikman explained. “He didn’t ask for it. And so, we’re clear on that. He totally understood, and yet, he was very complimentary if something like that were to ever take place with the idea that we’re not having those conversations at this time.”

Jerry Jones Says Hiring Troy Aikman Is ‘Very Possible’

Jones got the question Tuesday morning during his weekly appearance with Shan Shariff and RJ Choppy on 105.3 The Fan. Shariff asked whether Jones would bring Aikman in for a major role with the Cowboys if Aikman were interested.

Jones said Aikman’s command of the game made the answer simple. The exchange came one day after the win in Philadelphia.

“Yeah,” Jones said. “Yes, I could and would. And so it’s that simple because I do think that much of him, with his basic command and understanding and knowledge of NFL football. And so he certainly is qualified to do any of the things that have been mentioned. And I think he’s outstanding at what he focuses on right now, and that’s giving the story, the narration of the football games of all teams.”

Dallas drafted Aikman first overall in 1989. He played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Cowboys, won three Super Bowls, and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted him in 2006. The 1995 team he quarterbacked is the last Cowboys team to reach the NFC Championship Game.

The radio appearance followed remarks Jones made to Mark Maske of Front Office Sports on Oct. 21 at the end of an NFL owners meeting in New York. Jones said then that he was following Aikman’s situation with ESPN and that Aikman would be capable of filling a front-office role for an NFL team.

Jones bought the Cowboys in February 1989, weeks before the draft that brought Aikman to Dallas. On Tuesday, Jones said the two have had their ups and downs since.

“So let me make it real clear,” Jones explained. “Troy Aikman is, first of all, just getting started in his life. I don’t know of anyone that’s played or any part of football that has had any more success off the field than Troy. He is a successful guy because he is one of the hardest-working, most focused people that I’ve ever been around. Now, when you’re around each other, a part of that makeup can make it where you can have your ups and downs. But I think the world of him. I’ve seen his image and had it in my eyes since I walked in the NFL. So he’s outstanding.”

“And the answer is … not that necessarily we’re going to do something more direct with the team at this time,” Jones continued. “But don’t rule it out. It’s very possible.”

Aikman’s ESPN Contract Expires After Super Bowl LXI

Aikman, 59, is in the final year of the five-year contract he signed with ESPN in 2022 after two decades at Fox. That deal expires after ESPN’s broadcast of Super Bowl LXI in February. Joe Buck, his broadcast partner since 2002, has already signed a six-year extension with ESPN.

Front Office Sports reported this month that Aikman and Buck argued before a recent Bills-Rams broadcast. Aikman has not received a formal offer to return to ESPN.

On Wednesday night, Aikman put the chances that he will not be on television next year at 50-50 while speaking at a Dallas book signing for Peter King’s new book, “The Game,” according to Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News.

Aikman also told Fisher that, in his last season under the ESPN contract, he has come to realize broadcasting could be taken away from him. He said that for the first time, he is open for business.

“Our relationship is complicated. I think he would agree with that,” Aikman said. “But it is one that’s built, I believe, on respect. This week, he said some really kind things, which meant a lot to me, quite honestly. So, yeah, I would welcome any conversation with Jerry.”

“And quite honestly, I don’t know if there would be, or if there ever would be an opportunity,” Aikman continued. “But if Jerry came to me and felt that, in his heart, I could lend some services that would help make them better, I’d have a hard time not taking a good look at that.”

Aikman served as a consultant to the Miami Dolphins last offseason during the searches that led to the hirings of Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley. Maske reported Oct. 16 that Aikman no longer has a formal and ongoing agreement with Miami.

The Cowboys (3-4) host the Arizona Cardinals (2-5) at noon CT Sunday at AT&T Stadium, with the game airing on Fox.