Joe Buck Supports Troy Aikman as ESPN Contract Decision Nears

ESPN faces a decision about its lead NFL broadcasting team as Troy Aikman's contract approaches expiration at the end of the 2026 season. His longtime partner, Joe Buck, wants the network to reach a new agreement with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, while industry speculation suggests they could separate after Super Bowl LXI in February 2027.

According to an Oct. 12 report by Newsbreak, Buck recently signed a six-year contract worth more than $100 million to remain at ESPN. Aikman has not signed an extension, leaving his future with the network uncertain as the 2026 NFL season continues.

Sports media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel suggested the broadcasting partnership might be nearing its end in a response to a fan praising the duo.

"100 percent. Enjoy them this year while we have it because there are lot of people around the industry nervous that this might be their last season together," Glasspiegel wrote.

Glasspiegel also shared his predictions for next season's leading NFL broadcasting teams, while acknowledging that his projections could change.

"Glass crystal ball: these are my predictions, today, about top announce booths next year. ESPN – Joe Buck and Greg Olsen. Amazon – Ian Eagle and Troy Aikman. CBS – Nantz/Watt. (NBC/Fox stand pat.) I reserve the right to change my mind," Glasspiegel added.

Under that scenario, Buck would stay at ESPN alongside former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, while Aikman would join Amazon Prime Video with Ian Eagle. The networks have not confirmed these projected changes, and Buck and Aikman remain ESPN's Monday Night Football announcing team for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Buck has publicly expressed his desire to continue working with Aikman. Speaking last month on Unfiltered with Ricky Bo and Bill Colarulo on Philadelphia radio station 97.5 The Fanatic, he recalled leaving FOX to join his longtime partner at ESPN.

"I'm pretty well on record, having begged out of my last years at FOX to follow him to ESPN, where I stand on all that," Buck said.

The pair worked together at FOX for approximately two decades before moving to ESPN in 2022. Their partnership became a central part of ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage after the network recruited FOX's longtime leading NFL announcing team.

Buck also described the personal relationship he shares with Aikman, highlighting the years they have spent together both professionally and personally.

"I legitimately love the guy like a brother. We’re basically the same age; I’m 57, he’s 59. We’ve both been through divorce.

We’re both girl dads. Twenty-five years, you’re sharing a lot of life together. Forget games and in the booth and all that stuff," Buck said.

He explained that their contracts had always been negotiated separately rather than as a joint arrangement. Buck said Aikman's future would ultimately depend on discussions between the former quarterback and ESPN.

"So, I hope so. I mean, both of us were up. It wasn’t like we were doing some national signing day where we walk in arm-in-arm and then sign contracts at the same time.

So we've always kind of kept that stuff separate. I'm obviously hopeful to say the least that something gets done, but that's kind of his world and ESPN's world, and I've got to kind of mind my own yard," Buck said.

Aikman has acknowledged that his contract negotiations have not progressed as he expected. Speaking on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast, he said he had anticipated reaching an agreement before the current season began.

"I thought something would be done prior to the start of this season," Aikman said.

He explained that his previous contract history made the current uncertainty unusual for him.

"I've never gone into a last year of contract ever since I signed with the Dallas Cowboys. So, I thought that it would be done. It's not. When it might get done, if it gets done, is anybody's guess, and it’s just not something that I’m really putting a lot of energy into," Aikman said.

The Athletic sports media correspondent Andrew Marchand believes ESPN intends to wait until after the Super Bowl before deciding whether to retain Aikman. The championship game in February 2027 will conclude the 2026 NFL season.

"I do believe that the plans as of now from ESPN is to wait until after the Super Bowl and then discuss a new deal or move on from Aikman," Marchand said.

Marchand acknowledged the quality of the current broadcasting partnership but questioned whether ESPN had firmly committed to keeping the duo together.

"I think when you look at it, they went with Buck early. First off, the two have done a great job. I don’t think they’ve solidified that booth. I would say you can make a pretty good argument they're the best duo in the game," Marchand said.

Aikman joined FOX as an NFL analyst in 2001 after retiring from professional football and became part of the network's leading broadcast team alongside Buck in 2002. Dallas selected him first overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, and he won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XXVII and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.