Is Troy Aikman done with ESPN? Joe Buck’s new deal raises questions about their future

Troy Aikman could leave ESPN after the 2026 NFL season, with his contract set to expire and no new deal announced. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback has confirmed that he plans to finish the season before exploring his options. Meanwhile, reports of a new ESPN contract for Joe Buck and an alleged disagreement between the longtime partners have added uncertainty to their future on Monday Night Football.Aikman and Buck have worked together for more than two decades, first at Fox and then at ESPN. They are also expected to call Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. Whether they continue working together beyond that game remains an open question. Troy Aikman opens up about his ESPN contract and next moveAikman discussed his future during an appearance on Dallas sports radio station KTCK. He confirmed that he would finish the current NFL season before deciding what comes next.“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,” Aikman said during the interview.The 59-year-old analyst also spoke about the Super Bowl and the possibility of finding another broadcasting home. His ESPN contract reportedly pays him around $18 million annually and expires after the 2026 season.Aikman's comments leave the door open to several possibilities. He could negotiate a new deal with ESPN or explore offers from other networks. For now, however, he has not announced plans to leave, and ESPN has not confirmed an extension.His next move could shape the future of Monday Night Football, where he has worked alongside Buck since 2022. The pair joined ESPN after leaving Fox, where they had called NFL games together since 2002. Joe Buck’s new ESPN deal puts their partnership under scrutinyBuck's contract has added to the questions surrounding the broadcast duo. Reports in September 2026 said he had agreed to a six-year ESPN extension reportedly worth $108 million. Aikman has not announced a comparable agreement.There have also been reports of a disagreement between the two broadcasters before the October 12, 2026, Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Neither man has publicly explained the alleged argument in detail, so the exact nature of their reported tension remains unclear.Aikman addressed the reports during his October 15 appearance on KTCK. “There’s probably a time and a place for all that,” he said, declining to discuss the matter further.Despite the speculation, both men remain part of ESPN's broadcast team. Their partnership stretches back to 2002, making them one of the NFL's longest-running commentary duos.Aikman's contract situation now leaves ESPN with a decision to make after the season. Super Bowl LXI could mark an important point in his broadcasting career, but his next agreement will determine whether he continues with the network or takes his experience elsewhere.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.