Charles Barkley sees no reason for Troy Aikman to aim his frustration at Joe Buck as uncertainty surrounds his ESPN future.

During Wednesday’s appearance on Unfiltered, the 97.5 The Fanatic program, Barkley challenged the idea that Buck bears responsibility for securing his longtime broadcast partner’s next contract, AwfulAnnouncing reports.

“I’m very disappointed in Troy Aikman, honestly,” Barkley said. “It’s not Joe Buck’s job to get him a deal.”

ESPN recently extended Buck’s contract, while Aikman faces free agency after this season. The network’s first Super Bowl broadcast arrives in February, potentially giving their partnership a significant final assignment.

Barkley acknowledged their relationship but questioned why separate negotiations should create friction.

“But you don’t have to drag Joe Buck into it,” he said. “Like, it ain’t his job.”

Charles Barkley publicly criticized Troy Aikman over the reported tension between Aikman and his longtime ESPN broadcasting partner, Joe Buck: pic.twitter.com/IQsbQUoNgq

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Reports detail Troy Aikman’s frustration with Joe Buck

Aikman has voiced concern about his future without publicly accusing Buck of wrongdoing.

Speaking with Jimmy Traina, Aikman pointed to the absence of negotiations and questioned whether ESPN intended to retain him. His deal expires in March, following the February 14 Super Bowl.

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Meanwhile, Front Office Sports reporter Ryan Glasspiegel described an October 12 disagreement between the announcers. Aikman subsequently declined to address the situation fully during a Dallas radio interview.

After Barkley’s appearance, Puck’s Dylan Byers reported further details. Citing anonymous sources, Byers wrote that Aikman felt betrayed because Buck and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro never alerted him before news of Buck’s extension surfaced.

Buck has publicly supported keeping Aikman, telling the Philadelphia station in September that he considers him family.

However, Buck also emphasized that they have historically handled contracts independently. He expressed hope for an agreement while leaving those discussions entirely to Aikman and ESPN.