Ex-Cowboys QB Troy Aikman open to becoming NFL GM ... just not in Dallas under Jerry Jones

Chris Bumbaca | USA TODAY

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If an NFL team with a general manager opening approached Troy Aikman, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback admits he would listen. During his weekly appearance on 1310 The Ticket in Dallas, Aikman said he considers running a front office the next "frontier" for him.

But Aikman will never hold that title for the Cowboys as long as Jerry Jones owns the team and controls personnel decisions — Aikman was sure to make that much clear.

"It’s a real long shot," Aikman said. "It’s unlikely Jerry will ever bring somebody in who can help this team in that regard because he’s been real stubborn and steadfast that he’s the one in charge.

"I think in a lot of ways, until that changes, this team is going to have some problems. But would he ever ask me to come be a part of it? That would be a real leap of faith. I don’t envision that happening and I don’t envision that happening at any point, quite honestly, no matter who’s in charge out there."

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Aikman has not held back in criticizing the team he won three Super Bowls with as a player. The Fox Sports color commentator ripped the Cowboys during their loss to the Bears last Thursday night.

Lots of people talk about the importance of winning but how many are truly willing to sacrifice individual achievement and gain for the good of the team/group. From my experiences, not many. — Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) December 11, 2019

The thought of moving from the broadcast booth to the general manager's suite is appealing, Aikman admitted. It's a transition John Lynch made recently, and in three years, he's built a contender with the San Francisco 49ers.

"I guess it's something that I guess I've always somewhat entertained. I've had a chance to talk with (Broncos general manager) John Elway in previous years. I've visited with John Lynch, and the decision that he made to take on that job in San Francisco," Aikman said.

"I've said many, many times, I still believe there's another frontier for me — maybe there's not — but I believe that there is, and I think that might very well be it. It's something that I think would be very challenging. I'd be giving up a lot to leave the job that I have to take on a role like that. It's an all-consuming job, and I certainly recognize that, but I think the challenge would make it worthwhile.

"Whether or not I'm ever afforded that opportunity, we'll see, but with each year that passes, the likelihood of it happening becomes less and less. I understand that more and more teams want to go young and kind of groom somebody that's gonna be there for the long haul. But relatively speaking, I've got a lot of great years left, and I feel that having been in a championship locker room and knowing what that looks like, what that feels like, and then I guess my job now as a broadcaster, I've been in those organizations."

Aikman joined Fox Sports as a color commentator in 2001 and was promoted to the lead broadcast the next year, a role he's held since.

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