The NFL's Week 2 slate is officially underway, but the biggest storyline isn't on the field—it's in the broadcast booth. Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback turned analyst, has dropped a bombshell: he's not thrilled with his current contract situation, and he's making it known right before kickoff.
Aikman, 59, revealed his frustration during a recent interview with sports media reporter Richard Deitsch, per Sports Media Watch. "I thought something would be done prior to the start of this season," he said. "I've never gone into the last year of a contract ever since I signed with the Dallas Cowboys. And so I thought that it would be done. It's not. When it might get done, if it gets done, is anyone's guess. And it's really not something that I'm putting a lot of energy into."
The timing couldn't be more awkward. Just days after he and Buck called the Chiefs-Broncos Monday night matchup, and with the Rams hosting the Giants on "Monday Night Football" in Week 2, Aikman's future with ESPN is suddenly a hot topic. The duo jumped ship from Fox Sports to ESPN in 2022, and while they've become the faces of the network's NFL coverage, only one of them has secured a long-term deal.
Joe Buck, Aikman's broadcast partner, just inked a massive six-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand. That deal solidifies Buck as the voice of "Monday Night Football" for years to come. But Aikman? He's still waiting.
ESPN, for its part, isn't commenting on the specifics. "With this historic season for ESPN now underway, our entire focus is on bringing fans the best possible football coverage, culminating with our first Super Bowl," Josh Krulewitz, executive vice president of communications at ESPN, told The Athletic. "To that end, we won't be addressing talent contract specifics publicly before the Super Bowl."
So what's next for Aikman? The rumor mill is already churning. Awful Announcing notes that the NFL analyst landscape could shift dramatically next offseason. Kirk Herbstreit's deal with Prime Video is up, and there's speculation Amazon might move on from him and Al Michaels. Meanwhile, the lead CBS booth is in flux—Tony Romo's return looks unlikely, and J.J. Watt is still trying to prove himself alongside Jim Nantz. That gives Aikman plenty of leverage if he wants to play hardball.
But would ESPN really break up one of the most recognizable duos in sports broadcasting? It seems unlikely, but with only one contract extension done, the possibility is real. Aikman's frustration is palpable, and it's a story that could have major implications for the network's NFL coverage.
For fans, this is just another layer of drama in what's already been a wild season. From Sunday's Eagles-Titans clash being called one of the hottest games in NFL history to the ongoing controversy over Fox's noon kickoff, there's no shortage of storylines. But Aikman's contract saga is one to watch—especially if it leads to a bidding war for his services.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the MNF booth. Will Aikman get his deal? Or will he walk? One thing's for sure: he's not happy, and he's not hiding it.
