Dallas Cowboys draw Aikman criticism
The Dallas Cowboys entered 2026 with a 30-year Super Bowl drought that Troy Aikman called hard to fathom. The former quarterback said responsibility for repeated January failures begins with owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Aikman argued that leadership must accept responsibility when results fall short. Dallas has not returned to the Super Bowl since the 1995 season, leaving its latest championship tied to the era when Aikman played quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys last won the Super Bowl in 1996
On January 28, 1996, Dallas defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. Troy Aikman led the Cowboys to their fifth championship, completing the franchise’s third title run across four seasons.
That victory followed championships after the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin formed the offensive core of a Dallas team that dominated much of the early 1990s.
Jerry Jones still controls football decisions
Jerry Jones remains the Cowboys owner, president, and general manager in 2026. He purchased the franchise in 1989 and has continued exercising direct control over major football decisions for more than three decades.
Aikman questioned Jones’ argument that hiring another general manager offers no guarantee of improvement. He noted that the same reasoning could prevent coaching changes because no replacement can promise better results before taking the job.
Dallas Cowboys own a 5-13 playoff record
Dallas has posted a 5-13 playoff record since its last Super Bowl championship. The Cowboys have reached the divisional round seven times during that span and lost all seven of those divisional-round games.
Those results separate regular-season competitiveness from deeper playoff advancement. Dallas has fielded several postseason teams since its championship era, but the franchise has not reached another conference title game during the same extended period.
Dallas Cowboys miss the NFC title game
The Cowboys have not appeared in an NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season. By 2026, that absence became the longest active conference title game drought among teams currently competing in the NFC.
Dallas reached the NFC Championship Game 14 times from 1970 through 1995. The franchise has not advanced beyond the divisional round since defeating Green Bay in the postseason that culminated in its fifth Super Bowl championship.
Dallas Cowboys finished 7-9-1 in 2025
Dallas finished the 2025 regular season at 7-9-1 during Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach. A 34-17 loss to the New York Giants closed the schedule and left the Cowboys outside the playoffs.
That result extended Dallas’ postseason absence to two consecutive seasons after the team also missed the playoffs in 2024. Schottenheimer entered 2026 seeking improvement after a losing record during his first campaign.
Dallas Cowboys defense ranked last
The Dallas defense allowed 511 points over 17 games in 2025, the most in the NFL. The unit also ranked 30th in yards allowed, creating a sharp contrast with the team’s more productive offense.
Dallas replaced defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season and hired Christian Parker in January 2026. Parker became the fourth Cowboys defensive coordinator in four seasons and the youngest in franchise history.
Dak Prescott powered a productive offense
Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns during the 2025 season while completing 67.3% of his passes. His production helped Dallas finish second in total offensive yards despite the team’s losing record.
The Cowboys scored 471 points in 2025, ranking seventh in the NFL, while allowing 511. The 40-point gap reflected a season in which offensive production remained strong while defensive results limited the team.
Jerry Jones embraced the soap opera label
Jerry Jones described the Cowboys as a soap opera operating 365 days a year in 2025. He also said he would draw attention when the discussion slowed, linking public interest to the franchise’s visibility.
Aikman later questioned whether attention had become another scoreboard for Dallas. He said Jones’ comments created the impression that franchise value, exposure, and drama could compete with championship results as measures of organizational success.
Dallas Cowboys reach $15.5 billion value
The Dallas Cowboys were valued at $15.5 billion in August 2026, the highest figure among NFL teams. That estimate represented a 21% increase from the previous year despite another season without a playoff appearance.
The Los Angeles Rams ranked second at $12.7 billion, leaving Dallas ahead by $2.8 billion. The gap highlights the Cowboys’ commercial strength while football operations continue to seek a return to the NFC Championship Game.
Fun fact: Cowboys have 87 pieces of art by 60 different artists, and that number is growing.
Dallas Cowboys entered camp with less drama
Dallas entered 2026 training camp without the major contract dispute that had dominated the previous summer. Jerry Jones described the offseason as relatively uneventful after the 2025 Micah Parsons negotiations ended with his Green Bay trade.
The Cowboys continued reshaping their defense on August 17 by signing eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller. Dallas prepared for the regular season with Christian Parker coordinating a unit that ranked last in scoring defense in 2025.
Brian Schottenheimer enters year two
Brian Schottenheimer enters year two
Brian Schottenheimer enters his second season as Dallas head coach in 2026, while Christian Parker begins his first year coordinating the defense. Jerry Jones still holds the same owner, president, and general manager responsibilities.
Aikman’s criticism focuses on the leadership structure rather than on any one player or coach. His argument centers on accountability after three decades without a Super Bowl return and a similarly long absence from the NFC Championship Game.
Tom Brady’s retirement closed one chapter, but NFL rules may have prevented another from reopening. Curious what blocked a possible return? Dive into Brady’s explanation and the league restriction behind it.
Dallas Cowboys face another leadership test
The Cowboys approach the 2026 season with the NFC’s longest active NFC Championship Game drought. Dallas also returns a quarterback who passed for 4,552 yards while its defense begins another season under a new coordinator.
Aikman’s central point is that repeated postseason results require examination at the top. Jones remains the decision maker overseeing football operations, leaving the coming season as another measure of the structure Dallas has maintained.
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Troy Aikman believes Dallas’ long championship drought puts accountability at the top, while Jerry Jones continues running football operations. Should the Cowboys change their leadership structure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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