Troy Aikman seems to confirm he'll be leaving ESPN
Troy Aikman has indicated he will likely leave ESPN after the 2026 season, confirming his status as a free agent. The announcement follows reports of internal tension between Aikman and his long-time broadcast partner, Joe Buck.
Why it matters
Aikman's departure would be a major shakeup for NFL broadcasting, particularly as ESPN prepares for its first Super Bowl coverage.
At a time when a sense is growing that Troy Aikman will be leaving ESPN/ABC after the 2026 season, Aikman seems to be dealing with a vague situation in the same way a Hall of Fame quarterback would.
By not shying away from it, and by not mincing words.
Appearing Thursday morning on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas, Aikman was specifically asked about Wednesday’s account of tension between him and 25-year on-air partner Joe Buck , which reportedly resulted in a recent argument between them.
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