Troy Aikman certainly did not endear himself to Dallas Cowboys fans after Monday night's win in Philadelphia, saying the result didn't really change how he feels about his former team's potential this season.
Nor should it. You never apologize for a divisional road win, but Dallas did what it was supposed to do against an inferior opponent.
The much bigger Aikman story coming out of Monday night, though, came courtesy of Jerry Jones, who was asked on 105.3 The Fan about the possibility of bringing the Hall of Fame quarterback into the Cowboys' front office. It's a reality Cowboys fans have tried to manifest for years, all the while knowing that Jerry's ego would never allow him to concede control.
For the first time (maybe ever?), though, it doesn't sound so far-fetched. Let's break down why it's at least in the realm of possibility.
1. Troy Aikman is all but done at ESPN
It feels like Aikman will not return as ESPN's lead NFL analyst alongside longtime broadcast partner Joe Buck. Per reports, Aikman was left in the dark while Buck quietly signed a new six-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN to continue calling Monday Night Football.
Meanwhile, Aikman's contract is up after the season. Appearing on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas a few weeks ago, Aikman insinuated that he won't be back with ESPN (h/t Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News).
"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.”
It seems the Buck-Aikman partnership has run its course after 25 years. Does that mean Aikman won't have a broadcasting job next NFL season? Hardly. The deck will be reshuffled in the offseason, especially with ESPN seemingly needing to make a new hire.
CBS Sports recently named J.J. Watt as its new lead analyst after parting ways with Tony Romo earlier this month after Romo was arrested in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).
Amazon Prime Video could come calling for Aikman to call Thursday Night Football, however. They have an out in lead analyst Kirk Herbstreit's contract. The Al Michaels-Herbstreit booth has been subject to criticism this season. If Prime Video feels it can upgrade, they have the freedom to turn to Aikman.
As of this writing, though, Aikman is trending toward not returning to ESPN. He consulted for the Miami Dolphins during their general manager and coaching search this offseason, while FOX lead analyst Tom Brady has balanced broadcasting with his role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
A full-time position with the Cowboys would be a different story. If Aikman were hired to run the front office, potentially as the team's new general manager, it would almost certainly prevent him from continuing to call games.
That's why Aikman's situation with ESPN is so notable. His contract is up after the Super Bowl, and he's been outspoken about wanting to work for the Cowboys. The door feels like it's open.
2. Regardless of motivation, Jerry Jones is operating differently
There's been a seriousness to Jerry Jones this offseason that feels different from the bluster Cowboys fans have grown accustomed to.
Unfortunately, this shift in Jones' behavior can be traced back to the Micah Parsons trade. Jones seemed determined to make an already contentious situation even more combustible that offseason, and everything he's done since suggests he understands just how badly he mismanaged the relationship before ultimately trading the face of his defense.
Maybe the 84-year-old is out to prove a point — that turning Parsons into five or six players was a worthwhile trade-off. Spoiler: It wasn't. BUT, if there has been one silver lining, it's that the fallout has lit a fire under Jones. We've seen a more aggressive, decisive and, frankly, less combative version of the Cowboys owner ever since.
Jones entrusted Brian Schottenheimer to lead the defensive coordinator search and ultimately signed off on hiring the youngest DC in franchise history.
The old Jerry might have reached for the familiarity shelf, calling up Mike Zimmer again or another former head coach with decades of experience. Heck, maybe he would've tried to talk Wade Phillips into coming back.
Let's take a look at some of the most significant personnel moves Jones has made since the Parsons trade:
- Trading for Quinnen Williams
- Trading for Joey Porter Jr.
- Signing Jalen Thompson
- Trading up to draft Caleb Downs
The Cowboys were also this close to winning the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes.
Maybe it means nothing. But it's undeniable that Jones has been more aggressive and more open to change. Handing meaningful personnel authority to his former quarterback would still represent a seismic shift, but it no longer feels dead on arrival.
0.5. Jerry Jones is actually open to the idea
Why the half? Hold your horses.
After Jones and Aikman were captured sharing a lengthy conversation before kickoff on Monday night, 105.3. The Fan asked Jones if he'd consider adding Aikman to the front office (h/t Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com).
“Yes, I could and would," Jones said. "It’s that simple because I do think that much of him and his command of NFL knowledge and football. He is qualified to do anything ... Don't rule it out. It is very possible."
This is, by far, the most receptive Jones has ever sounded to the idea of working with Aikman. Maybe that's another byproduct of the "New Jerry" we've seen emerge over the last year.
But remember the last time Jones was linked with a former player? Remember the Deion Sanders head-coaching buzz after the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy went their separate ways? It was one of the NFL's leading storylines for a week ... until Colorado handed Sanders a contract extension.
That's why Jones' comments about Aikman are a half-reason.
Like Aikman, Sanders was in the midst of a contract standoff with Colorado. Is it crazy to think Jones and Sanders understood that a little public flirtation could benefit both sides? Jones generated headlines during the playoffs, while Dallas' perceived interest may have given Sanders additional leverage in his contract talks with Colorado.
It can't be ruled out. Both Jones and Deion have an affinity for the spotlight.
In theory, publicly declaring that he "could and would" hire Aikman gives the Hall of Famer another card to play in negotiations with any network interested in his services. If there's even a hint that Aikman might walk away from broadcasting for a prominent role with the Cowboys, his leverage only grows. An eerily similar situation played out with Sanders.
While it's much easier to envision Aikman joining Dallas' front office than Deion leading the Cowboys out of the tunnel on Sundays, this still belongs firmly in "I'll believe it when I see it" territory.
Having said that, Jones' comments are worth a bookmark. As noted above, he did not push back on the idea whatsoever.
That's not nothing.
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