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Troy Aikman could be headed into free agency in both of his NFL-affiliated jobs.
The Hall of Fame quarterback’s $18 million annual contract as an ESPN analyst expires after the Super Bowl this season, and his advisory role with the Dolphins from last offseason does not include “a formal ongoing agreement,” according to Front Office Sports.
Aikman, who will turn 60 next month, served as a consultant to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross in the searches that culminated in the hiring of GM Jon-Erik Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley in January.
Aikman confirmed in a radio interview Thursday with Dallas station 96.7 The Ticket that he expects to be “a free agent” after he and partner Joe Buck call the Super Bowl for ESPN in February. He was also asked about a report of tension between him and Buck over their respective contract situations. Front Office Sports reported that the duo got into an argument before Monday’s game between the Bills and the Rams. Buck signed a new six-year, roughly $108 million contract in September.
“I think there’s probably a time and a place for all that to be discussed,” Aikman said. “I don’t know if now is the time. I don’t know that it’s hard to figure out kind of what’s happened. But 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.
“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.”
Matt Ryan left his gig in the CBS studio earlier this year to become the Falcons’ president of football operations.
It remains unclear whether Aikman will continue his consulting role with the Dolphins or consider seeking a front-office position with another NFL organization, such as his former team, the Cowboys.
Neither option would be as lucrative, however, as landing a new contract to remain in the booth as one of the game’s top game analysts.
CBS recently parted ways with Tony Romo followng his July arrest in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, with J.J. Watt presently serving as the network’s top analyst.
Due to his involvement with the Dolphins, the NFL subjected Aikman to the same access-restriction rules that Fox analyst Tom Brady deals with as a part-owner of the Raiders.
Both former quarterbacks are able to participate in virtual production meetings and conduct interviews off-site, but they are not permitted to attend team practices or appear at their training facilities.