Troy Aikman tasked with huge decision after landing new NFL job with 7-9 coach on hotseat

The Miami Dolphins have hired Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback turned ESPN analyst is joining as a consultant to advise the organization on its general manager search process.

Getty

Aikman’s role is not permanent, but he will remain as an adviser until the Dolphins find their next general manager.

Reports have claimed that the Dolphins wanted a perspective from outside the organization and one that is respected around the league.

Aikman has relationships across the league and has three decades of experience in the NFL, first as a player and then as a broadcaster.

His accolades include being a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback in 12 seasons with the Cowboys.

He also won three Super Bowls during that time and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the College Football Hall of Fame two years later.

Aikman’s role will not affect his role as a Monday Night Football analyst, according to ESPN.

He will continue to be in the booth for the rest of the season and is expected to work the game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers this Saturday.

Aikman arrives at an under-pressure Dolphins team

The Dolphins and former general manager Chris Grier parted ways in October last year after the team’s 2-7 start.

Grier had been with the Miami Dolphins since 2000 and had served as their general manager since 2016. However, during his 25 years with the team, the Dolphins had never won a playoff game.

That 25-year playoff win drought is the longest active streak in the NFL.

Getty

Since Grier’s exit, the team have gone 5-2 and have stuck with head coach Mike McDaniel, who faced immense pressure earlier this season.

However, his job is still not a lock for next season.

McDaniel has been head coach of the Dolphins since 2022 and has led the team to two playoff seasons in his first two years.

However, the Dolphins missed the postseason in 2024 and were eliminated from the playoffs again in 2025.

Nevertheless, after Miami’s turnaround this year, which included benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, reports a few weeks ago claimed that McDaniel will remain in his role next season.

However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano has now reported that McDaniel could be let go in the offseason.

Getty

And ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler added that if this happens, there’s already a job potentially lined up for him with the Cleveland Browns, with current coach Kevin Stefanski also under huge pressure.

“My sense is that McDaniel would be a candidate in Cleveland, should the Dolphins move on and Cleveland’s job open,” Fowler said.

“He still has some support in Miami. We will see if that’s enough. He has made a case to stay. From what I’ve gathered, the Dolphins’ GM search won’t necessarily be centered around fitting with McDaniel; it’s more so about finding the best team fit in general.”

What is clear is that Aikman has his work cut out for him.

Aikman recently teased returning to an NFL franchise

Aikman’s new role with the Dolphins comes just days after he discussed possibly returning to an NFL franchise in a front office capacity.

“I do feel like I could be a real asset to an organization,” Aikman said on the Sports Business radio podcast.

“Currently, I’m hopeful that I can continue to be an asset to my employer, ESPN and keep doing this for a little while longer.”

Although at the time, he raised concerns about his age.

“It’s more about at my age currently, there would be a learning curve. Would an organization be willing to allow that to happen. It’s a young man’s game, it’s a young man’s world,” he added.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.