Troy Aikman has lifted the lid on his new gig with the Miami Dolphins – a role that closely resembles Tom Brady’s situation in Las Vegas.
While Aikman is not considered a minority owner, as Brady is with the Raiders, the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback is poised to parlay his role as a national NFL announcer into valuable intelligence for the Dolphins.
‘I think the Dolphins were wise in understanding my relationships around the league and knowing that I have information that they don’t have or can’t get,’ Aikman told Clarence Hill Jr. on the DLLS Dallas Cowboys Podcast.
‘And I think they were smart in taking advantage of that, whether it was through me or through somebody else.’
Aikman, who calls Monday Night Football for ESPN, will likely get the same level of access granted to Brady, who serves as a Fox Sports analyst despite his role with the Raiders. Brady is still barred from practices and cannot visit team facilities in person, but can be involved in production meetings, which some believe could give the Raiders minority owner access to sensitive information.
It’s unclear if Aikman can expect the same treatment in his new and largely undefined role in Miami, but he doesn’t expect to have the same sway that Brady has in Vegas.
ESPN’s Troy Aikman has lifted the lid on his new advisory gig with the Miami Dolphins
Tom Brady still takes part in production meetings that could center on sensitive information
‘It’s kind of scratched that itch, but, you know, I don’t have any ownership,’ Aikman said. ‘I don’t have the influence, if you will, that Tom seemingly has there with the Raiders. So it looks similar, but I’m not so sure that is.’
One thing is certain: Aikman will not hide his preference for Miami.
‘But I will say I’m pulling for the Dolphins, because now I have something at stake,’ Aikman told Hill.
Officially Aikman is listed as a ‘special consultant’ to the Dolphins and, according to ESPN, helped with the recent search to find new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, who promptly hired former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach.
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, left, and head coach Jeff Hafley
‘And I think they hired two really talented, wonderful people, and I think that’s gonna prove itself out,’ Aikman said. ‘But, yeah, I’m pulling for them. I want to see them do well because I feel like my fingerprints are on it as well.’
Aikman’s Dolphins have the 11th pick in the first round of this month’s NFL Draft, but it’s anyone’s guess who Miami will be taking. The recent release of Tyreek Hill and the trade of Jaylen Waddle created a need at receiver, but the defense is also thin on the line and in the secondary.
As for Aikman’s future impact on the team, that remains unclear.
‘I’ll continue to help in ways that are yet to be defined,’ Aikman said. ‘I think all franchise quarterbacks that have been in the league for any length of time, I think we all come out of the game thinking that we could run a team, and know what it takes, and certainly having been a part of some championship teams, and I know what the locker room feels like, and what a winning locker room should be like.’
