The Hall of Fame quarterback also has no formal consulting agreement with the Dolphins despite advising the team last offseason.
Troy Aikman says he will be "a free agent" once this season ends, and he does not sound optimistic about staying put. His ESPN contract runs through the network's coverage of Super Bowl LXI in February and expires in March, and Aikman told Jimmy Traina of Underscore Media that the lack of any contract talks has him reading the writing on the wall. "It just seems to be where they're going — that they're gonna go in a different direction because there's been no talks, no contract negotiations," Aikman said, adding that it does not make sense for ESPN to keep him without something in place before the Super Bowl. He stopped short of saying a deal is impossible, leaving a window for ESPN to still make a move.
The uncertainty is not limited to his broadcasting booth. Aikman served as a consultant to the Dolphins last offseason, leaning on his relationships with owner Stephen Ross, coach Jeff Hafley, and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. But a source familiar with the arrangement says there is no "formal and ongoing agreement" for him to continue in that role, leaving it unclear whether he is still advising Miami in any capacity.
Meanwhile, Aikman's broadcast partner Joe Buck recently signed a six-year extension to stay at ESPN through 2031, putting the pair on very different footing heading into the offseason.