HOF QB almost unretired to join AFC contender in 2003

Troy Aikman Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman admits he almost unretired to join AFC contender in 2003

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/6/23

Three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman’s last snap came in a 32-13 Week 15 win for the Dallas Cowboys over the Washington Commanders on Dec. 10, 2000.

The 56-year-old quarterback-turned-broadcaster recently admitted during an appearance on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” that he nearly came out of retirement just two years later for one last potential playoff run with the Miami Dolphins.

“I had a chance initially and I was going to do it quite honestly," Aikman said. “I had trained that offseason, prepared to come back and play. And they felt like they were a quarterback away from achieving what they wanted to do. So, I was going to do it. I thought, 'Well, I'll give it a shot.’”

Troy Aikman revealed he nearly came out of retirement in 2003 to sign with the Miami Dolphins. “I had a chance initially and I was gonna do it quite honestly,” Aikman said last week.

More of that conversation: https://t.co/pAu2GjAnOn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2023

The Dolphins were coming off a 9-7 season, on a run of six straight winning seasons and heading into Year 2 with star running back Ricky Williams, who ran for an NFL-leading 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns the year before.

Miami had the No. 2-ranked rushing offense, but its passing attack ranked 26th with QB Jay Fiedler running the show. Despite his 28-13 record as the Dolphins starter, Fiedler didn’t move the needle much as a passer, averaging just 183 yards per game with 48 touchdowns in 41 contests. Thus, the Dolphins were looking for an upgrade at the position.

“Rick Spielman was the [senior VP of football operations], and he ultimately was the one, I believe, that decided not to sign me,” Aikman continued. “Which was probably a good thing from their perspective. And it was a great thing from my perspective because they weren't a quarterback away.”

Ultimately, the Dolphins stuck with Fiedler and Denver Broncos castoff Brian Griese. The duo led Miami to a 10-6 record and second-place finish in the AFC East behind the New England Patriots. They did, however, miss the playoffs.

More must-reads: