AIKMAN SIGNALS HE WILL LEAVE ESPN AFTER 2026 SEASON

Troy Aikman indicated he expects to leave ESPN once his contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, telling 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas that he will become a free agent and is "looking forward to... where my next landing spot may be." He was responding to questions about a reported argument with his broadcast partner of 25 years, Joe Buck, that reportedly took place before ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage of the Buffalo Bills against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Front Office Sports reporter Ryan Glasspiegel said the dispute "de-escalated" and that viewers watching the broadcast would not have detected any tension. Aikman declined to detail what happened, saying "there's probably a time and a place for all that" and that he was unsure "if now is the time." His comments were reported by Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News.

Aikman and Buck joined ESPN together in 2022 on five-year deals and had been entering the final year of those contracts ahead of the 2026 season. ESPN has since signed Buck to a new contract, reported by one outlet as a six-year deal worth $108 million, while Aikman has remained unsigned. Aikman previously said he expected a new deal to be finalised before the start of this season. He had also said he would like to continue working with Buck in future if possible.

Aikman confirmed he will broadcast for ESPN through the remainder of the 2026 season, including the Super Bowl, before his contract situation is resolved. He gave no further detail on the reported tension with Buck or on any specific plans for after this season. ESPN has not issued public comment on Aikman's remarks.