Aikman balks at calling head coach of Cowboys a dream job: 'There's not a real plan' in Dallas
In the 24 years since his retirement, Troy Aikman has carved out a second identity as the NFL’s truth-teller-in-chief. His candor in the broadcast booth often stings more than the hits he absorbed as the Cowboys’ quarterback, and Monday night was no exception.
When ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt asked Aikman for his thoughts on Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys parting ways, the Hall of Famer didn’t just respond—he filleted.
“This job is as coveted as any,” Van Pelt suggested, cueing Aikman to weigh in on what many view as the NFL’s crown jewel of head coaching gigs. Aikman’s reply? It was less a coronation and more a coroners’ report.
“I thought Mike McCarthy would be the head coach, so this is a bit of a surprise for me today,” Aikman began, laying the groundwork for a measured takedown of his former team. “It suggests that there’s not a real plan.”
And that was just the appetizer.
The timing of McCarthy’s departure—and the murky reasoning behind it—has cast a spotlight on potential disarray in the Cowboys’ front office. According to NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Jane Slater, McCarthy and Jerry Jones appeared aligned on their vision for the team. However, negotiations over the finer points of a new contract reportedly became a roadblock, with discussions happening far too late to salvage their relationship.
As for the job’s coveted status? Aikman wasn’t buying it.
“I do think the Cowboys are obviously a high-profile team,” he admitted. “But I think most football people who take over as head coach, they want to do it on their terms, and that’s hard to do [in Dallas].”
Aikman’s words carried the weight of experience, and his critique hinted at deeper issues. The Cowboys, he suggested, aren’t a dream job. They’re a gilded cage.
His observations echoed recent comments from Dak Prescott, who voiced his support for McCarthy earlier in the season and called for the coach to be given “more influence on his terms.” The alignment between two of the franchise’s most prominent quarterbacks—from different eras—raises an uncomfortable question: Is the problem in Dallas less about who’s coaching and more about who’s calling the shots upstairs?
Still, Aikman was careful to temper his critique with affection. “I love the Dallas Cowboys. I played there for 12 years. I wish them well,” he concluded. “But to say that it’s a coveted job? I’m not sure I necessarily agree with that.”
@bitcheslovesports Jazz Monet responds to Dak Prescott’s comments on Mike McCarthy returning to the #DallasCowboys ♬ original sound – Bitches Love Sports Podcast
Post a Comment