Aikman's Reid Reunion: Draft Drama with Dolphins

0:00On April 16, Troy Ackman just dropped a wild story on the New Heights podcast about Andy Reed trying to pull him out of retirement back in two. 2002, Ackman had been done playing for two years after winning three Super Bulls with the Cowboys. He was in the broadcast booth calling a Cardinals Eagles game when Donovan McNabb broke his leg, and boom, Reed hits him up right at halftime wanting. To start the next game, Reed was dead serious, telling Ackman his time away wouldn't matter, and pitching hard to join Philly. Ackman finished the broadcast, called back after, and even bounced it off his old Cowboys coordinator, North Turner. But he passed, feeling loyal to Dallas, and unsure if he could still ball at that level. The Eagles didn't miss a beat, though. Their third stringer, AJ, Philly stepped up, started the rest of the season, and they rolled to the NFC championship before falling to Tampa Bay. Ackman stuck with broadcasting, shining at Fox for 20 years before jumping to ESPN. Fast forward, Ackman's got a front-off his gig with the Miami Dolphins this season, helping pick their GM and head coach.

1:03But ahead of the 2026 draft, Dolphins GM John Eric Sullivan clarified Ackman won't weigh in on picks, though he might hang in the draft room. With 11 picks, including two in the first round at 11 and 30, Miami's rebuilding after cutting to Otago Veloa, Tyree Kill, Bradley Chubb, and Jaden Waddle. Ackman's player smarts in broadcast I, still at serious value as they map out the future.