‘It’s criminal’ – Michael Irvin is on the exact same page as Dallas Cowboys fans are regarding team’s handling of Troy Aikman
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman is pulling for another NFL team nowadays. And Jerry Jones and Co. have no one to blame but themselves. Michael Irvin recently spoke on the situation.
As much as we’re used to it, the Dallas Cowboys’ way of doing things is absolutely wild. They’re the one NFL team that lacks a true one-point man. And the fact that they neglected a promising candidate in franchise icon Troy Aikman to the point of him working for another franchise now is as painful for Hall of Famer Michael Irvin as it is to the fans.
Michael Irvin gets real about Cowboys’ Troy Aikman mistake
Speaking on an interview with DLLS Sports, Irvin was asked about Aikman taking on a consulting role with the Miami Dolphins.
The former Cowboys quarterback advised the Dolphins during their search for a new general manager. With that process complete, Aikman revealed he would continue to help the Dolphins, though the specifics of his role remain unclear.
“It does pain me to see that,” Irvin said. “I think it’s criminal for any club to gain as much as you can from a guy like Troy Aikman whose job is to go and talk to teams, and coaches, and bring an understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes to the world.”
What makes it worse, says Irvin, is that Troy wanted to be a part of the Cowboys front office.
“It hurts me, it pains me to see that happening,” Irvin added. “Because I know Troy wanted to do that. Troy wanted a John Elway situation here in Dallas, and I know he wanted it, and certainly he’s earned it. But it’s not going to happen, and I’ve rested my mind to that reality.”
Insider Clarence Hill Jr., who began covering the Cowboys in 1997, added Aikman and Jones “ain’t right.” Though Irvin laughed it up and joked by insisting it was Hill Jr. who said it, he didn’t deny it. Instead, he said: “I’m not putting that out there.”
Aikman has spoken about it, too
Earlier in the year, Aikman acknowledged the Cowboys never chose to work with him.
“I think the Dolphins were wise in understanding my relationships around the league,” Aikman told DLLS Sports earlier in the year. “And knowing that I have information that they don’t have or can’t get. And I think they were smart in taking advantage of that [. . .] The Cowboys have never elected to do that, at least with me.”
Aikman added in the same interview he’s pulling for the Dolphins nowadays, despite having won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys. Over the years, he has never shied away from criticizing the front office and how it runs the team. Now he gets a chance to prove them wrong for not giving him a chance as an exec.
The Cowboys continue with rare GM setup
In the NFL, a general manager is the team-building strategy that makes the tough calls. Though each is working through constraints (from coaches’ influence to salary cap and cash budgets), they’re the guy making the decisions.
In Dallas, owner Jerry Jones rocks the “general manager” title but he’s far from a traditional one. Instead, there’s a very ambiguous process going on for the Cowboys. VP of player personnel Will McClay runs the NFL Draft operation, co-owner Stephen Jones is known to be largely in charge of contracts and free agency.
It’s a rare setup, which shouldn’t automatically mean it’s wrong. The only problem is the Cowboys are now 30 years into an NFC Championship Game drought. So yeah, Irvin is right to be hurt.
And so are Cowboys fans.