Troy Aikman Praises Dolphins' Coaching and GM Hires

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst says Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan are "outstanding" choices

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN analyst, has expressed strong approval for the Miami Dolphins' recent hires of Jeff Hafley as head coach and Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager. Aikman, who served as a consultant to the Dolphins during their search process, said he believes both men "check all the boxes" and will be highly successful in their new roles.

Why it matters

Aikman's endorsement carries significant weight given his extensive experience in the NFL as both a player and broadcaster. His positive assessment of the Dolphins' coaching and front office hires provides optimism for the franchise's future direction after a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

Aikman said he was impressed by Hafley's "emotional intelligence" and predicted the new head coach would quickly rise to become a top NFL leader. He also praised Sullivan's skills as the team's new general manager. Aikman was initially brought in by the Dolphins to assist in their GM search and later agreed to stay on to help with the coaching hunt as well.

  • Aikman began working for the Dolphins in mid-December 2025 as a consultant in their GM search.
  • Aikman later agreed to stay on in the Dolphins' search for a head coach.
  • Hafley and Sullivan were officially hired by the Dolphins in early February 2026.

The players

Troy Aikman

A Hall of Fame quarterback who is currently an ESPN analyst, Aikman served as a consultant to the Miami Dolphins during their recent searches for a general manager and head coach.

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, who Aikman believes "checks all the boxes" and will be highly successful in his new role.

Jon-Eric Sullivan

The new general manager of the Miami Dolphins, who Aikman also praised as an "outstanding" hire by the franchise.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They've got an outstanding head coach, outstanding general manager.”

— Troy Aikman, ESPN Analyst and Hall of Fame Quarterback (The Rich Eisen Show)

“In broadcasting, obviously I've been doing this a long time -- 25 years. There have been coaches who when I've had production meetings with them, who I didn't know, and as soon as I meet them, I've said 'Wow, this guy's not going to be a coordinator long. He's going to be a head coach real soon!'”

— Troy Aikman, ESPN Analyst and Hall of Fame Quarterback (The Rich Eisen Show)

“I thought Mike Vrabel was that guy. I thought DeMeco Ryans was that guy. And I'll tell you, I felt that way about Jeff Hafley a year ago, back in '24, when we first did the Packers.”

— Troy Aikman, ESPN Analyst and Hall of Fame Quarterback (The Rich Eisen Show)

What’s next

The Dolphins will officially introduce Hafley and Sullivan at a press conference in the coming days.

The takeaway

Aikman's strong endorsement of the Dolphins' new coaching and front office hires provides optimism for the franchise's future direction after a disappointing 2025 season. His assessment that Hafley and Sullivan "check all the boxes" suggests the Dolphins have made savvy choices to lead the team back to success.