Troy Aikman addresses ESPN conflict of interest fears with cutting Dolphins remark and reveals MNF future

Troy Aikman will work as both a color commentator on ESPN’s Monday Night Football (MNF) broadcasts, and as a consultant for the Miami Dolphins in 2026.

But according to the three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, there won’t be a conflict of interest, simply because the Dolphins aren’t good enough to create one.

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Aikman shares the ESPN booth alongside Joe Buck on a weekly basis, and together, the pair call what is traditionally one of the biggest NFL games of the week.

Miami hasn’t been a great football team in recent years, and finished the 2025 season with a 7-10 record that saw general manager Chris Grier depart midway through in October, and head coach Mike McDaniel fired at the conclusion.

Aikman was initially hired by the Dolphins a consultant to search for their next GM and HC, and revealed months ago that will remain with the team indefinitely.

Troy Aikman dismisses ESPN and Dolphins conflict of interest claims

Despite having a hand in the hiring of Jon-Eric Sullivan as GM and Jeff Hafley as head coach, the NFL icon isn’t expecting big things from Miami in 2026 — and therefore, they won’t appear on MNF.

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“The Dolphins are not expected to be very good this year,” Aikman responded, when asked if anyone at ESPN had raised concerns about him calling a Miami game during an appearance on Dallas Dialogue with Dale.

“They’re getting out of cap hell, so there’s no Monday night game with the Dolphins this year.”

Aikman went on to suggest that he would have no more ‘conflict of interest’ than any of his other broadcasting colleagues, should he call a Dolphins game in future.

“I get it, I’ve talked to the commissioner and he’s fine with what I’m doing, and my role,” he added.

“I think that anyone behind a mic, who is calling a game, there is conflict of interest. Because you have relationships in this business.

“I have friendships every week that I call a game… so I would argue that every broadcaster has conflict when calling a game.”

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Much has been made in recent years of Tom Brady’s duel roles as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and lead broadcaster for Fox, under a $375 million contract.

Troy Aikman has no plans to leave ESPN role

The ‘Brady Rules’ were even enforced by the NFL during his first season, before they were relaxed in 2025.

Aikman, evidently, has no issues with what the seven-time Super Bowl champ is doing, and insisted he wants to stay in his own role with ESPN too — even though he’s enjoying his work in Miami.

“I have no plans to leave ESPN. I’m enjoying my broadcasting career as much as I ever have,” he said.

“And so it doesn’t afford me the time I think it would require if I was to give the Dolphins more than I’ve given them up to this point.

“But I am a resource for them. No official title.

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“Who knows, maybe that might change at some point when I decide to walk away form broadcasting if I still want to get involved and stay involved with an NFL team. But I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Aikman will be a regular on MNF in 2026, even if the Dolphins won’t be.

His first assignment will be an AFC West conference clash between the returning Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14.