When Jimmy Johnson took over the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, he made a decision that would have lasting effects on his relationship with Troy Aikman, the team’s No. 1 overall pick quarterback. In a move that created tension, Johnson chose to draft Steve Walsh, another quarterback, just weeks after selecting Aikman. Johnson explained this choice during an appearance on “The Herd”: “We had a strained relationship that first year because I drafted Steve Walsh with a supplemental pick. (…) I knew Troy was our guy, but I wanted to take Steve Walsh because quarterbacks are so valuable. I knew that I would be able to trade him.”
The initial result of this decision was a challenging season for the franchise and its new leaders. The Cowboys finished 1–15, at the time the worst record in their history. This period saw trust erode between coach and quarterback as both struggled with their roles and expectations.
Reflecting on those early years during a recent conversation with Michael Irvin, Aikman detailed how his longstanding connection to Johnson was put to the test: “I’d known Jimmy since I was about 14 years old, he was recruiting me at Oklahoma State. He knew of me as a sophomore. I was his number one recruit when I was coming out of high school. He went to Miami, he recruited me in Miami.” (…) “So I’d known him a long time. And then I get drafted by him and I was excited. And then when they brought in Steve Walsh, it affected our relationship.”
Aikman described how difficult the start had been: “And then with us not winning, it affected everyone’s relationship with him. There were times it was such a bumpy road early that Jim, we went through stretches where we really didn’t even communicate. We didn’t talk much at all.”
However, things began to shift after Walsh left and victories started arriving for Dallas under Johnson’s leadership; eventually leading them together to Super Bowl success in 1992.
Their working relationship warmed notably near the end of Johnson’s tenure as head coach of the Cowboys. As Aikman recalled: “the last two years, as he was our head coach, he and I got along really well. … 93, his last year with us, he would come over on the off day on Tuesdays. He’d bring a six pack of Heineken’s and he’d sit in my bedroom, looking at the fish tank, drinking beer. And he and I would just communicate.”
This camaraderie made Johnson’s sudden departure after 1993 more impactful for Aikman; yet their bond continued to grow outside football—especially during joint broadcasting assignments—and became particularly meaningful during each man’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Aikman expressed what being chosen as presenter for Johnson’s enshrinement meant: “I mean, going into the hall of fame myself is a great honor, but the best honor I’ve ever been given was when he asked me to present him in the hall of fame.” (…) “can you imagine the relationship that we had in 1989, 1990, that one day Jimmy Johnson would ask me to be his presenter for the Hall of Fame?”
Today Aikman regularly visits Johnson in Florida; their friendship now strong despite its difficult beginnings.
Johnson himself looked back positively during his own enshrinement event: “Like I said, we’re best friends now… It’s fantastic,” noting how much their connection had changed from those earlier days.
The journey from professional rift to mutual respect is remembered alongside championship banners—the story of two competitors whose relationship evolved beyond football.
