The Dallas Cowboys' woeful 2025 season was just made worse by the fact that Troy Aikman has returned to work in professional football, but not in the DFW. Instead, as Roundtable Sports' Mike Fisher reported, "The Miami Dolphins have hired the ESPN NFL analyst and iconic Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman to serve as a consultant to assist in their general manager search, a source has confirmed to me."
Unfortunately, Aikman assisting another franchise isn't the worst of it. Per Fisher, "Aikman has apparently been working in that role recently as he assists Dolphins owner Stephen Ross in the Dolphins’ search for a new GM to replace the fired Chris Grier."
Knowing what the public perception would be concerning this opportunity with Miami upon its announcement, Aikman got to work in the shadows. Of course, it's not a permanent role. Still, it's more than what he's been able to do for the franchise that helped him become a legend.
Aikman has wanted this. He's wanted this since his interest in trading in a studio mic for an office role piqued.
One man has prevented that from happening in Dallas, and it's the same man who has prevented many good ideas from coming to fruition.
Jerry Jones Should've Swallowed His Pride, Let Troy Aikman Be the GM
Jerry Jones insists upon his own front office maneuvering, but numbers don't lie, and his work has produced a 16-15 playoff record during his time running the team. Still, Jones promotes and consults his own family instead of great football minds.
Aikman's time as a broadcaster has set him up for a career in the front office. He's been meeting everyone under the sun, from players to coaches to all the personnel in between. He's been soaking up the modern game, which may as well be a different sport from the one he played.
Jones isn't in the weeds like that. It's his call and his team, though, so credentials don't matter. At some point, though, he'll learn enough lessons that should humble him and make him change his ways. Right?
Wrong, more than likely. Aikman isn't the first and won't be the last person passed up on for a slam dunk situation in Arlington. Managing the front office and roster, and all the pain that comes with it, is Jones's to own. He "likes the pain," after all.
Cowboys fans don't. After another disappointing season, they're not even hoping for Jones to cede autonomy. Why wish for something that will never happen?
At a minimum, fans hope not to have to watch one of their all-time greats take a job with another NFL franchise than the one they suited up for.
Tough luck. Maybe next year.