Troy Aikman’s way of discussing the team with which he captured three Super Bowl titles is something to admire. The ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback has the knack for delivering hard truths about his old team, yet he can also stir up the fan base with some daring remarks now and then.

On Tuesday, during his appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, Aikman was asked to predict the Super Bowl winner for the 2025 NFL season. His broadcasting colleague Joe Buck made a sensible choice, picking the Buffalo Bills, led by the current MVP Josh Allen. However, Aikman surprised everyone with his pick, casually declaring, “Cowboys, yeah!”

Of course, such a bold claim is not easy to take at face value, particularly since the Cowboys are not even expected to make the playoffs this year, and Aikman had a playful grin before he even answered. Given the host’s notice that only ten seconds remained in the segment, there wasn’t time to delve into the reasons behind their choices, so the seasoned quarterback likely seized the moment.

Aikman, who knew exactly what he was doing with the wide-reaching audience of the national show, will undoubtedly be asked to explain his choice when he next faces reporters. It’s a clever move by a seasoned media personality. Aikman has been openly critical of the Cowboys’ front office management, a stance he made clear during the team’s coaching search earlier this year. “Regarding the Cowboys being a sought-after job, I’m not sure that’s correct.

The Cowboys are certainly a high-profile team (…) but most football coaches want to lead on their own terms, which is challenging in Dallas,” Aikman stated on ESPN in January. “Take Dan Campbell, for instance. Would Dan Campbell be the same if he were with the Dallas Cowboys? It’s hard to imagine.” Bearing those remarks in mind, I’m inclined to interpret his most recent Super Bowl prediction as a heavy dose of sarcasm unless he explicitly states otherwise.