Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Troy Aikman did not hide his frustration while calling Broncos-Bengals ‘MNF’ game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 9:44 AM ET

Troy Aikman was not at all pleased with the action he was calling on Monday between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals.

The ESPN announcer was in the booth for the “Monday Night Football” broadcast at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. The game quickly turned into a blowout as the depleted Bengals could not keep up with the Broncos.

One call in particular got on Aikman’s nerves with Denver leading 21-3 midway through the third quarter. Broncos offensive lineman Alex Palczewski was called for an illegal blindside block that ESPN’s rules specialist deemed a “good call.” Aikman didn’t agree.

“I’m not going to keep my mouth shut,” Aikman retorted. “That’s a good call. Just not a necessary call. … Nothing brings a broadcast to a screeching halt more than these yellow flags.”

"I'm not gonna keep my mouth shut. That's a good call. Just not a necessary call."

"Nothing brings a broadcast to a screeching halt more than these yellow flags."

"The product's just not very good. I'm gonna be honest…I mean, this is ridiculous."

– Troy Aikman pic.twitter.com/8pErfB34T2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 30, 2025

Fittingly enough, another flag was thrown on the very next play. Broncos center Luke Wattenberg was caught as an ineligible man downfield.

“The product’s just not very good,” Aikman followed. “I’m gonna be honest, it’s just not very good. I mean, this is ridiculous.”

The Bengals scored the first three points of the game on a field goal to cap off their opening drive. They failed to score the rest of the way, as the Broncos piled on with 28 points to seal a Week 4 victory.

For every “Monday Night Football” classic, there are a half dozen contests that just don’t live up to the primetime billing.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: