The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins are hiring Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to serve as a consultant in their search for a new general manager. The Dolphins and former GM Chris Grier parted ways during the 2025 season, with Champ Kelly named as the interim for the remainder of the year. Now, with just Week 18 left to play this weekend, Miami is starting to move forward with their search for the next person to lead their front office.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the hire. Schefter added Aikman is not a permanent addition to the Dolphins’ organization, but that he will be a “advisor” throughout the GM search.
Aikman is currently an ESPN analyst and host of Monday Night Football. He played 12 years in the NFL, all with the Dallas Cowboys. He threw for 32,942 yards with 165 touchdowns and 141 interceptions in his career; he was selected to the Pro Bowl six times. He was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft out of UCLA. He was the NFL Man of the Year in 1997 and won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.
Though he has lived his whole life in and around football, this would be Aikman’s first front office job in the NFL. He is part-owner of the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball, but does not influence team operations. It’s currently unclear what role Aikman will play with the Dolphins, but owner Stephen Ross is seemingly pulling out all the stops.
Aikman is expected to be involved in the interview process for Miami’s next GM and will provide owner Stephen Ross with a new perspective from outside the organization. He is not expected to be in consideration for the job.
The Dolphins are expected to interview several candidates this offseason, and although league executives consider the job to be a prestigious one, it’s been more than a decade since the Dolphins last hired a general manager from outside the organization. There are no concrete names yet, but popular candidates from around the league include Alec Halaby of the Philadelphia Eagles and John McKay of the Los Angeles Rams.
