Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s offensive struggles early in the NFL season. Aikman, who led the Cowboys for 12 seasons from 1989 to 2000, had particularly harsh criticism for the performance of the team’s wide receivers, accusing them of running “terrible” and “lazy” routes that contribute to the team’s inconsistencies on offense.
Days after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had a heated exchange with local radio hosts over questions regarding the team’s offseason moves, Aikman voiced his concerns on Dallas sports radio station 96.7 The Ticket. He zeroed in on the wide receivers, particularly star player CeeDee Lamb, who he believes needs to step up his game.
“I think they run terrible routes,” Aikman said during the interview. “And I’ve thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you’re not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it’s hard to play the position.”
Aikman didn’t stop there, pointing out what he sees as a lack of effort from the Cowboys’ wideouts. “I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they run, usually if they do, it’s because they’re anticipating they’re going to get the football on that play. But if they’re not, they don’t. And it all ties together. I’m not impressed with that part of it.”
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Comparing the Cowboys’ receiving corps to other teams around the league, Aikman highlighted the Baltimore Ravens’ dynamic duo of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as an example of receivers who run crisp, precise routes, making it easier for their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, to succeed.
“It’s hard to play the [quarterback] position if you’re not certain how guys are going to run routes or where they’re going to be,” Aikman continued. “I’m not speaking for Dak [Prescott]. Dak may say, ‘Hey, I think their routes are amazing.’ But as a former quarterback watching it, it’s gotta get a lot better.”
Despite ranking third in the league with 1,654 total passing yards through six games, the Cowboys have struggled to convert those yards into points. Much of the team’s scoring has come from kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has accounted for nearly half of their points this season.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was expected to have a breakout year, has posted just 467 receiving yards and two touchdowns so far, well behind last year’s pace, when he racked up 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Cowboys’ offense hit a new low recently, suffering a humiliating 47-9 blowout loss at home to the Detroit Lions before heading into their Week 7 bye.
Aikman’s criticism comes at a time when the team is searching for answers and looking to regroup before their next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 27.
Aikman’s words serve as a stern reminder that while the Cowboys have the talent, particularly in their receiving corps, their execution has been far from championship-caliber.
As the season progresses, the pressure is mounting for both the coaching staff and players to make the necessary adjustments and deliver on the field.
