Pat McAfee isn’t losing sleep over it, but he is keeping score. During Wednesday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show live from the NFL owners meetings, Pat McAfee was asked by NFL insider Peter Schrager who he was connecting with at an event the night prior.
When Schrager inquired if McAfee was able to have some time with ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman, McAfee revealed he did not. Yet, he used the opportunity to address Aikman’s presence from his program altogether. McAfee revealed that his show has made multiple attempts to book Aikman for a guest appearance. However, those efforts have yet to result in an appearance.
“Troy [Aikman] never comes on our show,” he said. “Then Rich Eisen’s first day on ESPN at noon, he’s on the show. Troy always tells us, ‘Can’t do it noon. Sorry, it’s impossible.’ First day Rich [Eisen] is on, Troy’s like, ‘Get me on that phone.’”
The comment drew laughs, but it also highlighted the contrast McAfee sees in Aikman’s availability. While his program has struggled to secure a booking, Aikman quickly joined Eisen’s show following its ESPN debut. Still, McAfee made it clear he is not taking the situation personally.
“I won’t take it as a personal heat,” McAfee said. “But I do not know, and we don’t know Troy like that.”
That distinction underscores the dynamic at play. While McAfee has built a reputation for landing high-profile guests, relationships often drive those appearances. In this case, he acknowledged that he and his team simply may not have the same level of familiarity with Aikman, even though both broadcast their content on ESPN.
Aikman, one of the most prominent voices in football broadcasting, has been a cornerstone of ESPN’s NFL coverage since joining the network. His role on Monday Night Football places him among the most visible analysts in the sport, making any potential appearance on McAfee’s show a notable crossover moment.
McAfee’s latest comments suggest the pursuit is ongoing, even if it comes with a bit of playful frustration.
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