‘The grass isn’t always greener’: Troy Aikman reportedly sent a message on ESPN after leaving Fox

Troy Aikman left Fox for ESPN in 2022 in a move that made him one of the highest-paid broadcasters in sports. But with his relationship with Joe Buck falling apart and no new contract in sight, it sounds like Aikman may have some regrets.

According to a new report, Aikman made a surprise appearance at a retirement party for his former coach, Jimmy Johnson, hosted by Fox in 2025, where he offered some telling words to his old colleagues. The report also details the ugly argument between Aikman and Buck before a Monday Night Football broadcast earlier this month.

Buck and Aikman’s Falling Out

Aikman and Buck called six Super Bowls together at Fox before ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro lured them to Monday Night Football in 2022. Aikman signed a five-year, $90 million deal, while Buck got $75 million, with both contracts set to culminate with ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in February.

But ESPN has since given Buck a six-year, $108 million extension, while Aikman hasn’t received an offer. Aikman has said that he’ll be a free agent after the season, and the tension between the two boiled over in the booth before the Bills-Rams game on Oct. 12, according to Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel.

One source even claimed that the argument nearly got physical. The NFL insisted it had “no concern” about the pair, pointing to their broadcasts as proof that they’re still on the same page.

The two have continued to call games together without any visible friction. But according to Puck’s Dylan Byers, it’s still “not a tension-free zone” behind the scenes, and Aikman appears unlikely to return to ESPN after the season.

‘The Grass Isn’t Always Greener’

In a deep dive on the falling out, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that Fox invited Aikman to make a surprise appearance at Johnson’s retirement party in the summer of 2025, despite the fact that Aikman had left the network on bad terms.

Aikman received a standing ovation and got a little emotional, offering some kind words about his old network before adding a telling line, according to three sources present.

“In case anyone is wondering, the grass isn’t always greener,” Aikman said, per The Athletic.

Clearly, Aikman’s time at ESPN appears to be winding down, and he isn’t pretending the move worked out the way he hoped.