All-Time Cowboys QBs Ranked: Aikman #1, Staubach #2

Troy Aikman

Retired 12 Years In The NFL
🏆 3× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Troy's
HAIR
69.7
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Troy Aikman or the Cowboys?

Troy Aikman Legacy

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Troy Aikman, the cool-headed gunslinger who transferred from Oklahoma to UCLA and became the No. 1 pick in '89, inherited a 1-15 Dallas dumpster fire and forged the Triplets dynasty with Emmitt and Irvin. What made him special? Ice-water veins and pinpoint lasers, never rattled, dropping dimes in Jimmy Johnson's run-and-shoot machine—culminating in that Super Bowl XXVII demolition of Buffalo, where he carved up the Bills for MVP glory. Three rings in four years, 90 '90s wins (a decade record then), Hall of Fame first-ballot. The ultimate winner, now calling games with that same steady voice.

Troy Aikman Rating Breakdown

Season
Good
Fantasy
Good
Playoffs
Elite
Overall
Sigma
12 years with the Cowboys

Troy Aikman Career Stats via Wikipedia

32,942 Pass Yards
165 Touchdowns
141 INTs
61.5% Comp %
69.7 HAIR
94-71 Record

Troy Aikman Career Timeline

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2006 1

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his fifth year of eligibility, honoring his 94-71 record, six Pro Bowls, and leadership of America's Team dynasty.

2000 1

Retires from NFL

Aikman announced retirement at age 34 after 12 seasons with Dallas, hampered by injuries; finished with 32,942 yards, 165 TDs, 141 INTs, and three Super Bowl rings.

1999 1

Concussion-Plagued Season

Endured multiple concussions, including a severe one in the playoff loss to Vikings, accelerating physical toll and signaling decline after decade of punishment.

1996 1

Massive Contract Extension

Signed a then-record 7-year, $50 million extension with the Cowboys, solidifying his status as the NFL's top-paid quarterback amid ongoing contention window.

1995 1

Third Super Bowl Victory

Aikman guided the Cowboys to Super Bowl XXX triumph over the Steelers, 27-17, completing 15-of-23 for 209 yards and a TD in the capstone of Dallas' dynasty.

1994 1

Major Back Injury

Suffered a devastating spinal injury (fractured transverse process) in Week 7 vs. Redskins, missing five games and derailing Cowboys' three-peat hopes that year.

1993 2

NFL MVP Award

Aikman won NFL MVP honors after a stellar 12-4 season, passing for 3,100 yards, 23 TDs, and only 7 INTs while anchoring the Cowboys' repeat championship run.

Second Straight Super Bowl Win

Led Dallas to Super Bowl XXVIII victory over the Bills again, completing 17-of-27 passes for 207 yards and a TD in a 30-13 win, cementing back-to-back titles.

1992 2

Super Bowl XXVII Champions

Aikman threw four touchdown passes in a 52-17 rout of the Buffalo Bills, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the Cowboys' first Super Bowl win of the 1990s dynasty.

First Pro Bowl Selection

Aikman earned his first Pro Bowl nod after leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, throwing for 2,754 yards, 16 TDs, and just 9 INTs in his breakout season.

1989 1

Drafted by Cowboys

Troy Aikman was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, selected out of UCLA after winning the Heisman Trophy runner-up honors.

12 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Troy Aikman

How does Dak Prescott compare to Troy Aikman?

Prescott's a fine quarterback—efficient, durable, competitive—but Aikman won three Super Bowls and dragged some mediocre Cowboys teams to the playoffs through sheer will. Dak's got the arm talent Aikman lacked, but Troy had that intangible thing: he made everyone around him better. Different eras, different rules, but Aikman's resume speaks louder.

Is Troy Aikman in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

No, Aikman's not in Canton, which remains one of the Hall's most baffling omissions. Three Super Bowl rings, 32,942 yards, and nearly 25 years as an elite analyst should've sealed it years ago. His exclusion says more about Hall voters' weird biases than it does about his credentials.

What is Troy Aikman doing now in 2026?

Aikman's currently advising the Miami Dolphins on their coaching and GM search while maintaining his role as ESPN's Monday Night Football analyst. He's leveraging his three decades of NFL experience and league relationships to guide Miami's front-office rebuild, a consultant gig that extends beyond his initial GM-search involvement.

How would Troy Aikman perform in today's NFL?

He'd thrive. Aikman's underrated athletically and had a quick release—modern rules eliminating the bump-and-run would've freed his receivers even more. His decision-making was elite; he'd adapt instantly. Give him today's passing rules and he's pushing 40+ touchdown seasons. The game's evolved toward his strengths.

How does Troy Aikman compare to Roger Staubach?

Aikman edges the Dandy—his 69.66 passer rating beats Staubach's 67.55, and he won three rings to Roger's one. Both defined Cowboys football, but Aikman did it in a tougher era with better competition. Staubach's the legend; Aikman's the better quarterback.