NFL fans have become used to hearing Troy Aikman and Joe Buck call Monday Night Football, so talk of a possible split has naturally drawn interest. The discussion has also brought Amazon Prime Video into the picture, with fans wondering whether Aikman could join Al Michaels on Thursday nights in the near future.

NFL Fans Weigh In on Potential ESPN, Prime Video Booth Shake-Up

ESPN has not reached an agreement to keep Aikman beyond the 2026-27 NFL season. The Dallas Cowboys legend is in the final year of his five-year contract, which pays him $18 million annually.

Negotiations have stalled, with ESPN reportedly pausing discussions until after Super Bowl LXI in February 2027.

The dispute has drawn more interest because Buck already has a new deal with the network. He signed a six-year extension reportedly worth between $108 million and $180 million.

Aikman was reportedly frustrated that Buck negotiated his contract without telling him, and the situation contributed to tension between the longtime partners. Aikman has since said he expects to become a free agent.

According to reports, Aikman’s representatives sought a deal comparable to those earned by top analysts such as Tom Brady. ESPN has reportedly weighed the cost of retaining him against other options in the market.

For now, both announcers remain scheduled to call Monday Night Football and the network’s Super Bowl LXI broadcast.

While the contract talks remain unresolved, analysts and fans have started discussing where Aikman could work next.

Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy shared a post on X, writing, “Right from the jump, ESPN features Troy Aikman on ‘Monday Night Countdown.'” He suggested ESPN go for an extension and end the uncertainty around Aikman’s future during Super Bowl year for the network.

Responding to McCarthy post, NFL analyst Mike Sando raised one possibility,writing, “Wonder if he winds up with Al Michaels on Thursday nights,” referring to Prime Video’s NFL coverage.

That suggestion drew a mixed response about Michaels, who currently works with Kirk Herbstreit on Thursday Night Football.

Football analyst Sam Monson questioned whether the veteran should continue in the booth, writing, “We gotta put Al out to pasture. And I loved him at his best.”

One fan also preferred Aikman over Michaels, arguing that the former quarterback deserved a stronger broadcast partner. “Good lord no, Al lost his fastball a few years ago, Troy is better than that,” the fan wrote.

Another viewer proposed a direct exchange between ESPN and Amazon. “Trade Aikman to Amazon to work with Al and let Herbstreit finish the season with Buck,” the fan suggested.

However, not everyone agreed that Aikman would improve Amazon’s coverage. One fan defended Michaels, writing, “Al Michaels might be better than Troy Aikman.”

Another questioned Aikman’s recent work, adding, “Troy has gotten worse.”

If Aikman leaves, Greg Olsen has emerged as a leading candidate to replace him, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.

As of now, Aikman and Buck are expected to remain together through the Super Bowl. What happens after that will depend on whether ESPN and Aikman’s representatives can reach a deal.