Troy Aikman makes bizarre 'lose your job' comment with his ESPN role up in the air
Troy Aikman makes bizarre 'lose your job' comment with his ESPN role up in the air
Sian JonesTue, October 20, 2026 at 11:53 AM UTC
0
Troy Aikman made a comment about 'losing your job' amid the uncertainty surrounding his own future at ESPN -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)
Troy Aikman has raised eyebrows with a bizarre 'lose your job' comment as uncertainty surrounds his future at ESPN.
Aikman was on commentary duty for ESPN's Monday Night Football in Week 6 as the San Francisco 49ers faced the Washington Commanders. While he kept his frustrations over his contract situation largely out of the broadcast, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback made his feelings on analytics clear.
When San Francisco opted to go for it on fourth down in the red zone during the first quarter, Aikman remarked: "Analytics is a good way to lose your job as a head coach."
• Jim Nantz left with 'broken' wrist from JJ Watt in CBS demonstration gone wrong
• Rams fans stunned by 'rigged' loss after controversial penalty leads to year's biggest upset
The 49ers converted the attempt before scoring a touchdown a few plays later, with the decision paying off in that instance.
Aikman, who forms one of the NFL's longest-serving commentary partnerships alongside Joe Buck, could be heading to a new network and working with a different broadcast partner in 2027.
The three-time Super Bowl champion's contract with ESPN is due to expire at the end of the 2026 season, with no new extension close to being agreed. Buck, meanwhile, has signed a six-year deal worth $108 million to remain the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football through the 2032 campaign.
Advertisement
Reports of an alleged argument between Aikman and Buck ahead of Week 5's Monday Night Football game have brought the future of the long-time broadcasting duo into focus.
Aikman made no public demands for a new contract during the Week 6 broadcast, nor did he walk out of the booth. Instead, he called the game as usual, although some viewers took to social media to suggest he appeared unhappy alongside Buck.
Aikman leaving ESPN, or being dropped by the network before calling this season's Super Bowl, would represent a seismic shake-up in NFL broadcasting.
Such a move would be unprecedented and bring an end to one of the sport's most recognizable commentary partnerships. While a split could be on the horizon, neither is expected to happen before the end of the 2026 season. Following reports of their alleged argument, Aikman addressed his situation with ESPN during an appearance on a Dallas radio station, although the former Cowboys quarterback stopped short of making any firm predictions about his future.
• Terry Bradshaw snaps at FOX NFL Sunday co-star with 'shame on me' comment
• Tom Brady shamelessly flexes wealth from FOX broadcast booth at NFL game
“There’s probably a time and a place for all that to be discussed. I don’t know if now is the time,” Aikman said. "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.
"I’m looking forward to whatever the rest of this year does hold, with the Super Bowl and all that, and where my next landing spot might be."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
