The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a critical Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, but their bye week was anything but uneventful. Amid rising tension, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reacted to harsh criticism from former Dallas quarterback and franchise legend Troy Aikman, who recently called out the Cowboys’ receivers for “lazy” route-running.
Appearing on Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan, Jones had an unusually candid response to Aikman’s remarks. While head coach Mike McCarthy suggested Aikman’s words carried little weight, Jones took a different approach, calling Aikman “credible” and highlighting the Super Bowl champ’s knowledge and deep commitment to the Cowboys.
“Troy’s credible, boy. And should be. And not only that. You can imagine he’s not just interested in taking a whack at the Cowboys,” Jones said. “He feels as much or more than anybody does about the Cowboys. He’s very professional. I think he’s very fair.”
Jones went on to point out specific areas where he felt his team could improve, focusing on players’ ability to push through tight coverage. He and McCarthy agreed that their receivers need to sharpen their response to physical defensive play, saying, “our players need to work on, when they’ve got tight coverage, pushing on through physical contact.”
This response from Jones—a contrast to his usual quick retorts—seemed to welcome Aikman’s feedback and acknowledged the team’s struggles so far this season. As for the Cowboys’ fanbase, they appear to share Aikman’s concerns, hoping that Jones’ comments signal a push for accountability on offense. The Cowboys, who currently stand at 3-3, are feeling the heat and will look to adjust their game plan against the 49ers in a matchup that could prove pivotal for their season.
Kickoff between the Cowboys and 49ers is set for Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
