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Aikman adds Eagles, Chargers to list of teams he almost played for

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

While Troy Aikman was considered a "Cowboy for life" - playing all 12 of his NFL seasons in Dallas - it appears the Hall of Fame quarterback was ready to don another team's colors more than once.

After previously admitting he once wanted to come out of retirement to play for the Miami Dolphins, Aikman told KTCK-AM radio on Thursday that he almost suited up for the Cowboys' NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Two years into his post-playing, broadcasting career, Aikman said a 2002 injury to Donovan McNabb led Eagles coach Andy Reid to contact the former Cowboy.

"I got a call from Andy Reid in the middle of a game that I was broadcasting after Donovan McNabb had broken his leg," Aikman said. "He wanted me to sign with Philadelphia and come out of retirement right then and go to work for them.

"And I gave it some consideration - actually I told Andy I was going to sleep on it and call him in the morning."

Aikman, who will call his fifth Super Bowl in February, almost gave up broadcasting for the prospect of returning to the field, but after some consideration, ultimately decided to stay put.

"I called my producer at Fox and asked him what he thought my career was long-term in television. Then I called (former Cowboys offensive coordinator) Norv Turner and talked to him about it from the football perspective," Aikman said. "I woke up the next morning and I just thought, 'Man, is this something I really want to do?' And I decided against it ...

"They ended up going on and having success with A.J. Feely. And ultimately they made it to the NFC championship game that year."

Aikman also revealed that after being released by the Cowboys in 2000, he planned to join Turner with the San Diego Chargers. Instead, the team signed veteran Doug Flutie and drafted Drew Brees, so the mutual interest was lost and Aikman opted for retirement.

- with h/t to Fox Sports

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