Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason has raised questions about Troy Aikman’s future at ESPN, suggesting the broadcaster’s contract situation could create tension before Super Bowl LXI.
Aikman’s five-year, $90 million deal is set to expire after the February 2027 championship game. ESPN has reportedly not offered him an extension, while play-by-play partner Joe Buck recently secured a six-year, $108 million contract.
The situation has fueled speculation about the future of their long-running broadcasting partnership. Reports also suggested the pair argued over their contract situations before a recent Monday Night Football broadcast.
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Speaking on WFAN with Gregg Giannotti, Esiason wondered whether the situation could escalate before the season ends.
“You know what’s interesting now that we’re about six weeks into the NFL? I mean, could this end before the season ends?” Esiason asked.
Giannotti suggested Aikman would not leave before calling the Super Bowl. Esiason agreed that an early departure seemed unlikely but questioned whether tensions could grow.
“I don’t think he would do it, that’s not his nature, I don’t think,” Esiason said.
Troy Aikman’s contract uncertainty puts ESPN under pressure
Esiason also questioned whether ESPN might feel pressure as the uncertainty continues.
“Could ESPN feel the pressure, and everything get a little bit tense?” he asked. “I mean, you don’t want guys being tense.”
Aikman and Buck joined ESPN from Fox in 2022, bringing an established partnership to Monday Night Football. Their chemistry has helped make them one of the NFL’s most recognizable broadcast teams.
However, Buck’s extension has highlighted the difference between their current contract situations. Aikman has indicated he expects to finish the season before considering his next move.
“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. “I’m looking forward to whatever the rest of this season does hold, and the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot may be.”
Losing Aikman would leave ESPN facing a major decision ahead of its first Super Bowl broadcast. Finding a replacement with comparable NFL knowledge and experience would not be straightforward.
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Greg Olsen has emerged as a potential candidate in media speculation, while Tony Romo has also been mentioned as a possibility.
So, right now, an early departure remains speculation rather than a confirmed development. Aikman and Buck are still expected to call the Super Bowl together, but his unresolved contract situation leaves questions about their future beyond this season.
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