Troy Aikman to help Dolphins in general manager search

A Pro Football Hall of Famer is helping the Dolphins hire their next general manager. 

ESPN analyst and former Cowboys great Troy Aikman is consulting on Miami’s general manager search, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday.

Aikman is not being considered as a candidate for the position, which has been vacant since the Dolphins relieved former GM Chris Grier on Halloween following a stretch of over nine seasons leading the organization’s front office. 

ESPN commentator Troy Aikman on the sidelines before the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys football game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

“Aikman is expected to sit in on interviews as part of his role,” Pelissero reported. “The philosophy is similar to how the Commanders utilized former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers in their coaching and GM searches two years ago.

“Unlike Myers, Aikman is not expected to stay with the organization beyond the search.”

Miami appears to be honing in on a general manager with a scouting background, according to the report, which also stated that interviews are expected to begin next week. 

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross asked Aikman to be involved due to his widespread contacts throughout the league, as well as Ross wanting to have an outside perspective, The Palm Beach Post reported. 

A Miami Dolphins logo at Bernabeu Stadium, the site of the 2025 NFL Madrid Game between the Washington Commanders and the Dolphins. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

ESPN reported that Aikman’s involvement with the Dolphins’ general manager search will not have any impact on his role as an analyst on “Monday Night Football,” and he is slated to be on the broadcast for Saturday’s game between the 49ers and Seahawks. 

Champ Kelly has been the Dolphins’ interim general manager since Grier was let go and the search to find Grier’s replacement is the organization’s first since 2014, when Miami hired Dennis Hickey. 

The Dolphins got out to a 2-7 start this season before Greier was fired and have since put together a 7-9 record. 

The struggles, which have included injuries to key players like Tyreek Hill, have led to questions about the job security of coach Mike McDaniel.