Troy Aikman Sparks Blockbuster NFL Coaching Trade Rumors After Revealing His Dream Head Coach

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Troy Aikman appears to have engaged in pre-tampering by discussing which coach he would sign if he ever had the chance to run an NFL team. Aikman has expressed his desire to have an executive role on a team for some time. His imminent departure from ESPN generated more buzz.

A couple of weeks ago, he showed a willingness to meet with Jerry Jones. That revelation sparked speculation about whether fans could see Aikman returning to Dallas to try to build a Super Bowl-caliber squad.

More recently, he mentioned which coach he would like to get if he were ever in charge of running a front office.

Troy Aikman Names Kyle Shanahan Dream HC Target

During a Thursday appearance on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas, Aikman said he would try to make a swing for Kyle Shanahan’s services.

“I’ve been asked a lot of questions here, certainly over the last several weeks, about any aspirations that I may have of going in a front office,” Aikman said. “Or ‘Who would you hire as your head coach?’ If I was in a position to hire someone as a head coach, [the] first call I’d make is to the 49ers and say, ‘How much is it going to take to get Kyle Shanahan? Because I think he’s that good. And yes, I’ve always believed this, but coaching matters and it has an impact on an organization.”

This was not the first time Aikman praised the 49ers’ coach. Back in 2024, he floated Shanahan as an option for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching position.

“There has been discussion about, ‘Do you give up some picks and see if you can maybe make a deal for a guy like Kyle Shanahan?’” Aikman said during a game. “I would be all in on that. Because he would develop a quarterback, and he’s a hell of a head coach. But can you pull that off? That’s a better question. And who might you hire that has no head-coaching experience as an offensive guy? You never know the answer to that, as to how good they’re gonna be.”

After leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances and multiple NFC Championship Games, nothing suggests that the Niners are interested in parting ways with Shanahan. He’s led the team to a 7-1 record amid multiple serious injuries. It is easy to see why Aikman is so high on the coach.