NFLPreview
Chiefs GM expecting a lot of trades in first round
Chiefs GM Brett Veach expects an exciting NFL draft with numerous trades.
ESPN News1 min read
NFLFeature
Andy Reid once tried to bring Troy Aikman to Eagles
TL;DR
In 2002, Andy Reid attempted to recruit retired quarterback Troy Aikman to the Philadelphia Eagles after Donovan McNabb's injury. This bold move aimed to bolster the team's chances amid a crisis.
Key points
- Andy Reid tried to recruit Troy Aikman in 2002.
- Donovan McNabb suffered a broken leg during the season.
- The Eagles were facing a critical situation without their franchise quarterback.
Mentioned in this story
Andy ReidTroy Aikman
Philadelphia EaglesDallas CowboysDonovan McNabb
Some stories sound too wild to be true. This one actually happened. During the 2002 season, the Philadelphia Eagles faced a nightmare when Donovan McNabb suffered a broken leg. In an instant, a Super Bowl-caliber team was forced to confront life without its franchise quarterback. For most organizations, that would mean turning inward, leaning on depth, and surviving.
Andy Reid had a different idea.
Instead of settling, Reid picked up the phone and called Troy Aikman. while the Dallas Cowboys legend was in the middle of a FOX broadcast. The message was simple and stunning. Would he consider coming out of retirement to join the Eagles?
Yes, that Troy Aikman, one of the faces of the Cowboys dynasty. The quarterback who helped define one of Philadelphia's most hated rivals. It sounds impossible, but in that moment, it wasn't about rivalry. It was about survival.
Reid understood what was at stake. The Eagles weren't just a playoff team. They were contenders, and losing McNabb didn't have to mean losing everything. If there was even a chance to add a proven veteran with a championship pedigree, it was worth exploring, no matter how unconventional it seemed.
Of course, it never materialized. Aikman stayed retired. The rivalry remained intact. McNabb eventually returned to lead Philadelphia to an NFC Championship Game appearance. A story some never knew about became one of those “what if" moments. Years later, it still feels surreal. Imagine it for a second, a Cowboys legend in midnight green.
But this also says something about how Reid operated, even then. He wasn't afraid to think bigger than everyone else in the room. Even though he'll now forever be remembered as a Kansas City Chiefs coach, he's still one of the greatest head coaches in Eagles history.
But, Troy Aikman as an Eagle? It just doesn't sound right, does it? One thing is certain. It would have rewritten one of the NFL's most heated rivalries in real time.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire:
Q&A
Why did Andy Reid contact Troy Aikman in 2002?
Andy Reid reached out to Troy Aikman after Donovan McNabb suffered a broken leg, seeking to strengthen the Eagles during a critical time.
What was the situation with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002?
The Eagles faced a significant challenge in 2002 when their franchise quarterback, Donovan McNabb, sustained a broken leg, jeopardizing their Super Bowl aspirations.
How did Troy Aikman respond to Andy Reid's offer?
The article does not specify Troy Aikman's response to Andy Reid's offer to come out of retirement to join the Eagles.
