Dolphins Coach Consults with ESPN's Troy Aikman

Hafley says Aikman has been a 'good sounding board' as the former QB's role with the team remains undefined.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract visual representation of the story's themes.Aikman's dual role with the Dolphins raises questions about conflicts of interest in the NFL broadcast booth.Today in Miami

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley revealed that he has been consulting with ESPN analyst Troy Aikman, who has a yet-to-be-determined role with the organization. Hafley said Aikman has been a 'good sounding board' and that he will continue to have conversations with the former NFL quarterback.

Why it matters

The NFL has faced questions about potential conflicts of interest when broadcasters also have roles with specific teams, as seen with Tom Brady's dual roles with Fox and the Raiders. Aikman's involvement with the Dolphins raises similar concerns about access to inside information that other teams may not have.

The details

Hafley told reporters that he has talked to Aikman a few times and they've had 'really good conversations.' Aikman previously said he will 'continue to help in ways that are yet to be defined' with the Dolphins. The NFL has allowed these types of dual roles in the past, such as with Tom Brady, but there are concerns it could provide teams with unfair advantages.

  • Hafley made these comments to reporters on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Troy Aikman

A former NFL quarterback who currently works as an analyst for ESPN and has an unspecified role with the Miami Dolphins.

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What they’re saying

“I think right now Troy has been a good sounding board. He's a guy that I've talked to a few times. We've had some really good conversations, and I'll continue to do that.”

— Jeff Hafley, Dolphins Head Coach

“I have information that they don't have or can't get.”

— Troy Aikman

What’s next

The NFL is expected to review Aikman's role with the Dolphins to determine if it creates any conflicts of interest or unfair advantages for the team.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges the NFL faces in regulating the relationships between teams, broadcasters, and other entities that have access to inside information. The league will need to carefully consider how to address these types of dual roles to ensure a level playing field.