Troy Aikman says he has not had any discussions with ESPN about extending his contract, even as his longtime broadcast partner Joe Buck has reportedly secured a major new deal with the network.
Aikman and Buck have become one of the NFL’s most recognizable broadcasting duos. However, with Aikman’s current ESPN contract set to expire after the 2026 season, questions are now emerging about the future of the Monday Night Football pairing.
Troy Aikman Says ESPN Has Not Discussed an Extension
In a recent interview with Sports Business Journal’s “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch,” Troy Aikman revealed that he has had no conversations with ESPN regarding a contract extension.
Aikman said he had “no conversations with anyone from Bristol” about a new deal. Bristol, Connecticut, is home to ESPN’s headquarters.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback also congratulated Joe Buck on his reported extension, while acknowledging that he does not yet know where his own broadcasting future will lead.
Aikman joined ESPN in 2022 alongside Buck after the pair had spent years working together at Fox. Their move gave ESPN one of the most recognizable NFL commentary teams in television.
Joe Buck Reportedly Signs Long-Term ESPN Deal
While Aikman remains without an extension, Joe Buck has reportedly reached a new agreement with ESPN.
According to a report cited by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Buck signed a six-year contract worth more than $100 million. The deal reportedly keeps him with ESPN through 2031.
That agreement comes as ESPN prepares for a major moment in its NFL broadcasting history. The 2026 season will feature the Super Bowl on ESPN for the first time.
With Buck now reportedly committed to the network for several more years, attention has naturally shifted toward Aikman’s future.
Troy Aikman Wants to Continue Working With Joe Buck
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his ESPN contract, Aikman made one point particularly clear: he wants to continue working with Joe Buck.
Aikman described Buck as a close friend and said he believes the two broadcasters work well together. He also indicated that their partnership would be an important factor in any decision about his future.
The duo has worked together for more than two decades, developing a familiar on-air chemistry that has carried from their Fox years to ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage.
For Aikman, continuing that relationship appears to be a significant consideration as his current contract approaches its conclusion.
Aikman Says His ESPN-NFL Mission Has Been Accomplished
Aikman also discussed why he originally moved to ESPN in 2022.
According to the former Cowboys quarterback, part of his role was helping improve the relationship between ESPN and the NFL. He believes that objective has now been achieved.
Aikman pointed to the league’s ownership stake in ESPN as evidence that the relationship between the two organizations has changed significantly since his arrival.
He said he is proud of what he accomplished and believes he fulfilled the obligations ESPN expected from him.
What Happens to the Monday Night Football Team?
For now, the future of the Monday Night Football booth remains a developing story.
Joe Buck’s reported long-term agreement provides clarity on his side, while Troy Aikman’s contract situation remains unresolved. Aikman has expressed a clear desire to continue working with Buck, but the final decision will depend on future discussions with ESPN.
The pair recently called the Rams-Giants matchup on Monday night and are also scheduled to call their first Cowboys game of the season on Oct. 26, when Dallas faces the Philadelphia Eagles.
For Cowboys fans and NFL viewers familiar with their partnership, that broadcast will offer another opportunity to see Aikman and Buck together in the booth.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck’s Broadcasting Future
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck have built a broadcasting partnership that spans more than 20 years. Their move to ESPN in 2022 continued a relationship that had already become familiar to millions of NFL viewers.
Now, Buck reportedly has a new six-year commitment with ESPN, while Aikman says the network has not yet approached him about an extension.
Aikman has made clear that he would like to continue working with Buck. Whether ESPN ultimately extends his contract, and whether the two remain together in the Monday Night Football booth beyond the current agreement, will be determined by future negotiations.
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