As boos echoed throughout the stadium, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disappointing 27-17 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. The home crowd expressed their frustration, but the criticism didn’t just come from fans. Former Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, now a prominent sports commentator for ESPN, shared his candid thoughts on the Cowboys’ performance, particularly addressing the franchise’s management decisions.
During the live broadcast, Aikman, who was teamed up with Joe Buck for the Monday Night Football matchup, didn’t hold back on his analysis. He took aim at the ongoing speculation regarding Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, potentially trading future assets to bolster the current roster. On Monday afternoon, Jones hinted that a trade announcement would be made on Tuesday, coinciding with the NFL trade deadline. However, Aikman suggested that such a move might be misguided, stating, “He may want to cancel that trade.”
This comment came during the third quarter, a time when the Cowboys’ defense was struggling significantly. Aikman and Buck reviewed the Cowboys' lackluster performance, noting that the team had already allowed 27 points to the Cardinals, who were led by backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Aikman remarked, “I don’t think one player, from what I’ve seen tonight, is gonna make a difference for this group.”
Buck added context to Aikman’s criticism, recalling Jones' earlier remarks about the defense. He noted that Jerry Jones had previously indicated that adding a single player, such as Trey Hendrickson, wouldn’t suffice to improve the defense. Buck quoted Jones, saying, “I don’t think one player’s going to make the difference. They’re beyond that right now defensively.”
Aikman further emphasized his point, referencing Trey Hendrickson’s previous stint with the Cincinnati Bengals, suggesting that even talented players like Hendrickson had not significantly impacted defenses in the past. He claimed, “That was the equivalent of what we were watching here tonight. And he didn’t change their fortunes.”
As the Dallas Cowboys face critical scrutiny from both fans and former players, all eyes will be on Tuesday to see if Jerry Jones follows through with any trades that could potentially reshape the team’s future. The upcoming days are crucial for the franchise as they navigate their current challenges and seek to improve their performance on the field.
