Back in March 2022, ESPN acquired Joe Buck and Troy Aikman together from Fox to form the lead commentating duo of Monday Night Football. Cut to 2026, and their Week 1 MNF broadcast of the Chiefs-Broncos game averaged 23.2 million viewers, becoming ESPN’s most-watched Week 1 game since they got the package in 2006. Just two days later, the network handed Joe Buck a six-year, $108M contract extension. It looked like Troy Aikman – who’s in his last year at ESPN – would also land a new deal, but as October arrives, Aikman’s future is as uncertain as ever, and Buck’s facing questions he can’t answer.

When Joe Buck mentioned how a typical Monday Night Football broadcast goes for the legendary duo on 97.5 The Fanatic, the conversation shifted to Aikman’s contract – or the lack of it. Buck was asked if he had any updates regarding Aikman, and whether he could imagine a booth without the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback in it. His answer captured the 25-year journey they’ve taken together, and the bond that’s grown out of it.

“I think I’m pretty well on record having begged out of my last year at Fox to follow him to ESPN, where I stand on all that,” Buck said. “As I said, I did not see the article (about Aikman’s contract), but as I said, I legitimately love the guy like a brother. We’re basically the same age. I’m 57, he’s 59. We both been through divorce, we both are girl dads. There’s been a lot of – 25 years – you’re sharing a lot of life together. Forget games and the booth and all that stuff.

“So, I hope so. I mean, both of us were up, and it wasn’t like we were doing some national signing day where we walk in arm-in-arm and then sign contracts at the same time. So, we’ve always kind of kept that stuff separate. I’m obviously hopeful, to say the least, that something gets done. But that’s kind of his world, and ESPN’s world, and I’ve got to kind of mind my own yard in that stuff. I think that’s the best way to be.”

Now, while Buck didn’t spell out how it would be not to share a booth with Aikman, the way he explained their relationship left no doubt that he wants his partner to be extended. Shortly after Buck got his new deal, Aikman appeared on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast that was released on Sunday, September 20th, and expressed his surprise that a deal hasn’t been finalized with him yet.

“I thought something would be done prior to the start of this season,” Aikman said. “I’ve never gone into a last year of contract ever since I signed with the Dallas Cowboys. So, I thought that it would be done. It’s not. When it might get done, if it gets done, is anybody’s guess, and it’s just not something that I’m really putting a lot of energy into.”

As for ESPN, it doesn’t look like they are planning to sign Troy Aikman to a new deal yet. Around the time Joe Buck’s extension was reported, many tried to get the specifics of his deal – as well as what would happen to other broadcasters. ESPN’s executive vice president of communications Josh Krulewitz, at the time, had issued a statement clarifying his focus, while also shelving other contract talks.

“With this historic season for ESPN now underway, our entire focus is on bringing fans the best possible football coverage, culminating with our first Super Bowl,” Krulewitz said. “To that end, we won’t be addressing talent contract specifics publicly before the Super Bowl.”

That essentially leaves Aikman’s future up in the air until Super Bowl LXI wraps up in February 2027 – something even The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported through his Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media podcast in September.

“I do believe that the plans as of now from ESPN is to wait until after the Super Bowl and then discuss a new deal or move on from Aikman,” Marchand said. “I think when you look at it, they went with Buck early. First off, the two have done a great job. I don’t think they’ve solidified that booth. I would say you can make a pretty good argument they’re the best duo in the game.”

If that argument still holds after Super Bowl 61, Troy Aikman could land a lucrative contract that locks him in alongside Joe Buck for the foreseeable future. Aikman’s current five-year, $90 million contract might even balloon to eclipse that of his partner. For now, though, Aikman has noted he’s had no conversations with ESPN about his contract.

“How much of that is my decision, I guess is yet to be determined,” Aikman told Richard Deitsch. “Would I like to continue working with Joe Buck moving down the road? 100 percent.”

So, both MNF commentators are on the same page about where they want to be in the future: working with each other. But one already has a deal that keeps him around through 2031, and the other – Aikman – is waiting for 2027 to see where he lands.