If the Dallas Cowboys truly want to return to the glory days of the '90s, they might need to bring back some familiar faces to make it happen. Well, specifically, they might need to bring back one familiar face.
After seeing how successful Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway was with the Denver Broncos, how successful John Lynch has been with the 49ers, and now the Atlanta Falcons hiring Matt Ryan as team president, it shouldn't be out of the question for the Dallas Cowboys to bring back Troy Aikman. And not to bring him back as some figurehead, but as the man in charge of the operation.
It's not the first time this idea has been suggested, but ESPN NFL insider Jeff Darlington suggested it, and there might be more merit to the idea than ever before.
ESPN insider suggests Cowboys give the keys to Troy Aikman
Quick note on Troy Aikman. I've been told many times how he was incredibly involved, incredibly thoughtful and completely committed to the Dolphins' GM search. I hope he stays at ESPN forever, but if he ever does something else... Man, the Cowboys should just put him in charge.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 9, 2026
Aikman has been helping the Miami Dolphins in their search for a new general manager, which culminated with the team hiring former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan. He's now going to help them with their head coaching search as well.
As this has become public knowledge, it's sparked some big-brain thinking from some folks in the know, and Jeff Darlington over at ESPN might be onto something here. One of the biggest points of frustration for Dallas Cowboys fans is the way Jerry Jones runs the team. And certainly, as one of the most notable alumni of the franchise, we've heard on a national stage how frustrated Troy Aikman has been (at times) about the way Jones is running things.
So what if he were willing to step in and be the President of football operations? Is that something Jerry and Stephen Jones would actually entertain. Sadly, the answer is probably not. And that may be an optimistic answer. But the idea does have a lot of merit.
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Aikman has had a bird's eye view of the entire NFL for the last couple of decades as one of the most successful color commentators in sports media, regardless of what league we're talking about. As evidence by the gig he and Joe Buck currently have with ESPN, Aikman is arguably the most coveted talent in the business.
But it's more than just his ability to deliver consistently as a television personality. Aikman "knows ball". He understands what makes good teams work, because he's spent the last couple of decades picking the brains of every coach and general manager in charge of organizations. At production meetings, he's talking to GMs, he's talking to coaches, and he's talking to players.
This was the same line of thinking that had me excited about the possibility of John Lynch jumping from the TV booth into the general manager's chair, because you get the opportunity to see how all teams are building, what works, and what doesn't.
Again, all of this might be a moot discussion, because is Jerry Jones going to give up control of the roster? Is he going to strip away his role and the role of his eldest son? Not likely. Maybe even less than not likely.
But even if it's only a Lloyd Christmas-level chance, it's something that could legitimately help the Cowboys. And Aikman appears ready to take that step whenever someone makes the ask (and cuts the check).