# Troy Aikman opens door to leaving Joe Buck, ESPN behind

> Troy Aikman hints at becoming a free agent after 25 years with Joe Buck on ESPN.
- Title: Troy Aikman opens door to leaving Joe Buck, ESPN behind
- Summary: Troy Aikman hints at becoming a free agent after 25 years with Joe Buck on ESPN. Troy Aikman will be a free agent after the NFL season ends, threatening the…
- Keywords: troy aikman, joe buck, espn, nfl, monday night football, free agent, broadcast partnership, news, local, Troy, Aikman, opens
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2026/10/15/troy-aikman-joe-buck-espn-monday-night-football-greg-olsen-jj-watt-jim-nantz-tony-romo-nfl-cbs-fox
- Published: 2026-10-15T20:37:53.795+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: troy aikman, joe buck, espn, nfl, monday night football, free agent, broadcast partnership, news, local
## Troy Aikman's free agent status
Troy Aikman confirmed he will be a free agent after the NFL season ends.

> I’ll broadcast through this season, and I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year
## 25-year ESPN partnership at risk
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have worked together for 25 years as ESPN's longest-running NFL broadcast pair.

> Joe Buck and Troy Aikman passed Pat Summerall and John Madden as the longest-tenured NFL broadcaster pairing in 2023
## Contract tensions reported
Front Office Sports reported Joe Buck and Troy Aikman argued before the Bills-Rams game over contract disputes.

> According to FOS, Buck addressed the tension between him and Aikman in the booth before the Bills-Rams game
## Buck's contract details
Joe Buck signed a six-year deal worth more than $100 million with ESPN.

> Buck agreed to a six-year deal last month, according to The Athletic
## Aikman's current earnings
Troy Aikman earns $18 million per year while Joe Buck earns $15 million per year.

> Buck’s current contract pays him $15 million per year, according to The Athletic
## Aikman's potential moves
Troy Aikman could join another network or move into NFL front office consulting.

> Aikman also is dabbling in consulting for the Dolphins, opening the possibility that he’d consider joining an NFL front office
## Impact on other networks
Fox hasn't had contract talks with Greg Olsen, and CBS has unstable J.J. Watt position.

> Sports Business Journal reported that Fox hasn’t had contract talks with No. 2 analyst Greg Olsen
## Aikman's next steps
Troy Aikman will see what happens after the Super Bowl and his next landing spot.

> I’m looking forward to whatever the rest of this year does hold and the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot may be
## Key takeaway

Troy Aikman will be a free agent after the NFL season ends, threatening the long-running ESPN broadcast partnership with Joe Buck.