Troy Aikman has criticized the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, calling their route-running “terrible” and suggesting that some players appear “lazy” at the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys, currently sitting at a disappointing 3-3 this season, have yet to secure a victory at home, which is concerning for fans and analysts alike. Owner Jerry Jones remains steadfast in his support for head coach Mike McCarthy, despite the team’s recent 47-9 defeat to the Detroit Lions—a loss that marks the worst home performance under Jones’ ownership since 1989 and the most significant setback at AT&T Stadium since its opening in 2009.
In a recent radio interview, the 82-year-old Jones expressed his frustration, admitting he felt “sick” about the Lions game but was unwilling to accept blame for the team’s struggles. His comments drew attention from former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance. Aikman, who led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s, emphasized that the current state of the offense is unacceptable.
Colin Cowherd echoed Aikman’s sentiments, suggesting that McCarthy’s position as head coach may be precarious. Cowherd pointed out that in five seasons, McCarthy has only managed one playoff victory. The criticism from Aikman and fellow former player Michael Irvin, both legends in Cowboys history, signals a growing unrest regarding the team’s direction. Cowherd stated, “When you have Aikman and Irvin willing to say this publicly in the same week, the messaging is pretty clear. Mike’s out. Jerry wants him out.”
The Cowboys’ offensive statistics reveal a mixed bag: they rank third in the NFL for passing yards, averaging 259.3 per game, but are dead last in rushing yards with only 77.2. Overall, they are producing 336.5 total yards per game, placing them 14th in the league, and scoring an average of 21.0 points, which ranks 19th. Defensively, the team has struggled as well, allowing 356.5 total yards and 28.0 points per game, ranking 30th overall. With Mike Zimmer now at the helm as defensive coordinator, the hope is that he can turn things around after Dan Quinn’s departure.
Under McCarthy’s leadership, the Cowboys have a regular-season record of 45-28 and a postseason record of just 1-3. Despite achieving three consecutive seasons with 12 or more wins and two NFC East titles in the last three years, the team is coming off a disappointing playoff exit last season after losing to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card round.
Recently, Dallas extended quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract for four years at $240 million, just hours before the start of the 2024 season. However, Prescott’s performance has raised concerns, as he is on pace for a career-high six interceptions and currently holds a career-worst passer rating of 85.5. His completion percentage of 63.4% is the lowest he has recorded since 2017, leaving fans and analysts questioning the effectiveness of the offensive strategy.
