Joe Buck Supports Troy Aikman Amid ESPN Contract Uncertainty

The future of ESPN's Monday Night Football booth remains unsettled as Joe Buck supports keeping Troy Aikman as his broadcast partner, with Aikman's contract expiring after the 2026 NFL season. Buck has signed a new six-year deal, while Aikman and ESPN have yet to reach an agreement.

According to The Mirror, Buck and Aikman joined ESPN in 2022 after working together for two decades at FOX. Aikman's contract situation has drawn industry attention because the pair currently remain one of football's most recognized announcing teams.

Front Office Sports reporter Ryan Glasspiegel suggested the partnership could change after this season. He wrote that industry figures are concerned the current run may not continue.

"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 later outlined his prediction for future NFL broadcast booths, while noting his projections could change as events develop.

"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 wrote.

Buck has said he hopes ESPN and Aikman reach a new agreement. He previously followed Aikman from FOX to ESPN, where they became the network's Monday Night Football voices.

"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 on Unfiltered with Ricky Bo and Bill Colarulo.

Buck described his relationship with Aikman as extending beyond their work in football broadcasts. The two have shared a professional partnership spanning more than 25 years.

"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.

Buck also explained that their contract decisions were handled separately despite their close connection. He said he remains hopeful about Aikman's next step with 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 said he was surprised that a new deal had not been completed before the season began. His contract is scheduled to end after the 2026 season, which includes ESPN's coverage of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

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

Aikman added that he had never entered the final year of a contract during his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys or his broadcasting career without an extension already completed.

"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's Andrew Marchand said ESPN's current plan is to address Aikman's future after the 2026 season concludes with Super Bowl LXI, either through a new deal or a change involving the booth.