Jerry Jones teases hiring Troy Aikman for Cowboys amid ESPN contract drama

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and ESPN announcer Troy Aikman were in the same building Monday, Oct. 26, for the Dallas Cowboys’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on "Monday Night Football."

The two could find themselves together a lot more, according to Jones, who is entertaining the idea of employing Aikman should the former Cowboys quarterback exit the broadcast booth after the 2026 season.

Jones’ final question during his interview on Dallas radio station 105.3 The FAN on Tuesday, Oct. 27, was whether Jones would hire Aikman for a serious front-office role.

“Yeah. Yes, I could and would," Jones replied. "It’s that simple because I do think that much of him with his basic command and understanding and knowledge of NFL football. He’s certainly is qualified to do any of the things that have been mentioned.

"So let me make it real clear: Troy Aikman is just getting started in his life. … I think the world of him. … He’s outstanding. The answer is not that we’re necessarily going to do anything more direct with the team at this time, but don’t rule it out. It’s very possible."

What Troy Aikman said about working for Cowboys

Aikman previously said during an interview with CowboysRoundtable.com that he would work for Jones and the Cowboys if he felt like his influence would matter in the strategic direction of the franchise.

"I’m still young. I feel great," Aikman, 59, said. "I do feel there’s another frontier.

"I still believe it could very well be something else. And what that might be, like, I’m not talking in code by any means. I’m not real sure."

Jones serves as the franchise’s general manager and lead decision-maker. Stephen Jones, his son, is the team’s chief operating officer and Will McClay is the vice president of player personnel.

Jones was effusive in his praise of Aikman at last week’s owners’ meeting in New York.

“Troy is very capable … He’s very capable of being any number of things, certainly with football, short of getting back out on the field,” Jones said.

Troy Aikman, Joe Buck feud

Aikman has said that he will be a broadcasting free agent after he and Joe Buck call the Super Bowl on Feb. 14, 2027. Buck agreed to a new deal with ESPN in September, which has been a reported source of friction between the longtime broadcast partners. The tension came to a head with an argument inside the booth that preceded the Oct. 12 "MNF" game between the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

Aikman’s exit from broadcasting may be against his own volition if no seat or role worthy of his stature opens. He consulted for the Miami Dolphins during the organization’s search for a general manager and head coach last offseason. He’s served on various committees for hires of import at his alma mater, UCLA.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jerry Jones teases hiring Troy Aikman for Cowboys amid ESPN contract drama

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.