In March 2022, ESPN signed Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, along with Joe Buck, to a multi-year agreement, making him the lead NFL game analyst for Monday Night Football.

Aikman and Buck form the longest-running lead NFL broadcast partnership in television history, beginning their collaboration in 2002 as part of a three-man booth with analyst Cris Collinsworth before becoming a duo in 2005. Over their 24 seasons together, they have called more than 400 regular-season games, more than 40 playoff matchups, 18 NFC Championship Games and Super Bowls XXXIX, XLII, XLV, XLVIII, LI and LIV.

During the season, Aikman and Buck are joined by Lisa Salters and host Laura Rutledge.

Since joining ESPN, Aikman has helped lead the network’s coverage of marquee NFL events, including Monday Night Football and the NFL Playoffs. In February 2027, he will serve as ESPN’s lead game analyst for the company’s first Super Bowl telecast.

Following Aikman’s first season at ESPN, Monday Night Football earned a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Series at the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in May 2023.

Aikman’s Hall of Fame playing career began in 1989 when the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Over 12 seasons, he led the Cowboys to victories in Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII and XXX. While leading one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises, Dallas won six NFC East titles (1992-96, 1998) and advanced to four consecutive NFC Championship Games (1992-95). He remains one of only four starting quarterbacks to win three Super Bowls.

In February 2006, Aikman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Prior to joining the Cowboys, Aikman starred at UCLA, passing for 5,298 yards and 41 touchdowns while leading the Bruins to a 20-4 record over two seasons. The All-American was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. He transferred to UCLA after spending two seasons at the University of Oklahoma (1984-85).

Following his retirement after the 2000 season, Aikman immediately transitioned into broadcasting, joining FOX Sports for the 2001 NFL season. He remained with the network for more than two decades before joining ESPN.

Aikman was raised in Cerritos, Calif., before his family moved to Henryetta, Okla., when he was 12 years old. He earned All-State honors at Henryetta High School. Founded in 1992, The Troy Aikman Foundation has supported children’s health and well-being through initiatives including the creation of recreation areas in children’s hospitals.

Aikman resides in Dallas and is the father of two daughters, Jordan and Ally.