Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman has finally said what many fans have been feeling for three decades: they deserve more. In a candid conversation with longtime Dallas sports anchor Dale Hansen on Dallas Dialogue, the Hall of Fame quarterback opened up about his former team's inexplicable postseason failures since he led them to glory in the 1990s.
Aikman, who guided the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles between 1992 and 1995, admitted he never imagined the franchise would still be waiting for another championship game appearance all these years later. "It's hard to fathom," Aikman said. "It really is because we see it, we talk every year about parity and how we've seen teams that have gone from last to first and teams that have not been historically very good, and yet they still make a run. They make it to a championship game, or they'll make it to a Super Bowl. And yet for the Cowboys, that hasn't happened."
The ESPN broadcaster, who also serves as a broadcaster for NFL games, expressed his bewilderment at the Cowboys' inability to translate regular-season success into playoff victories. "It's hard to put your finger on exactly why because when you look at the number of regular-season wins that they've had, they're probably top five over the last two decades," Aikman added. "And yet, it hasn't translated into the postseason."
While Aikman's estimate was slightly generous—the Cowboys actually rank ninth in regular-season wins since 2005—the point stands. Every team with more victories during that span has at least one Super Bowl ring to show for it. Dallas, meanwhile, has made just six playoff appearances in the last 12 years, and none have advanced beyond the Divisional Round.
The last time the Cowboys even reached an NFC Championship Game was January 14, 1996, when Aikman himself led them to a 38-27 victory over Brett Favre's Green Bay Packers. That win propelled Dallas to its fifth Super Bowl title, but the franchise hasn't been back to the big game since.
"Cowboys fans, they deserve better," Aikman said emphatically. "I do know that. This is the Cowboys, the flagship franchise. And the fact that the Cowboys, in 30 years, have not made it to a championship game – let alone a Super Bowl – it's hard to fathom."
Aikman's comments come at a time when the Cowboys are trying to rebound from back-to-back seven-win seasons. The team has made some moves to address its offensive line, including adding a lineman from a recent minicamp, but the pressure is mounting for a franchise that hasn't lived up to its billing as America's Team.
The Cowboys remain the most valuable franchise in the NFL, worth $15.5 billion, but that financial success hasn't translated into on-field triumphs. As the team looks toward 2026, there's a clear message from within: it's Super Bowl or nothing. But for Aikman, the wait has been far too long.
While Aikman's role as a broadcaster has kept him close to the game, he's also faced scrutiny for his dual responsibilities. The NFL recently tightened his sideline access amid questions about his involvement with the Dolphins, but he's vowed to stay at ESPN. For now, his focus is on the Cowboys' future—and the fans who've waited a lifetime for another championship.
