Troy Aikman, a Hall of Fame quarterback and Dallas Cowboys legend, has not held back his disappointment with the team’s performance this season. In a recent interview on 96.7 The Ticket, Aikman expressed his frustration with the Cowboys’ offense, specifically pointing to the poor route running of wide receivers, including star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who recently signed a $136 million contract extension.

Aikman’s critique came after the Cowboys hit a low point in their season, suffering a devastating 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. The team now sits at a 3-3 record, and Aikman, who led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories, voiced concerns about the effort and execution on the field, particularly when it comes to the receivers.

“I think the routes are terrible,” Aikman said bluntly. “I think they run terrible routes. And I’ve thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee has got to improve in his route running.”

Aikman’s critique of Lamb is especially noteworthy given Lamb’s stature as the Cowboys’ number one receiver and his lucrative contract extension in August. With 32 receptions for 467 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, Lamb’s statistics are not terrible, but they fall short of the expectations that come with a contract of his magnitude.

The former quarterback explained that the lack of precise route running disrupts the quarterback’s ability to perform effectively. “As a quarterback, if you’re not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it’s hard to play the position. That’s what I see. I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they run, but usually only if they’re anticipating getting the football. If they’re not, they don’t.”

Aikman highlighted how this inconsistency can seriously hamper offensive flow, and noted that it’s an issue he’s seen in the Cowboys beyond just this season. He compared the Cowboys’ receivers to those of top contending teams like the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers, who, according to Aikman, demonstrate a much higher level of effort and precision.

“I just finished watching the Baltimore Ravens because I have them this week. You put on their film and watch their receivers run routes, and they come off the football, so does San Francisco’s and Green Bay’s,” Aikman explained, emphasizing the contrast in effort between the Cowboys’ offense and these teams.

While Aikman was critical of the receivers, he made sure to defend quarterback Dak Prescott from taking the full brunt of the blame for the team’s struggles. “It’s hard to play the (QB) position if you’re not certain how guys are going to run routes or where they’re going to be,” he said, acknowledging the difficulties Prescott might face in the current offensive setup. 

Aikman added, “Dak may say, ‘Hey, I think (their routes) are amazing.’ But as a former quarterback watching it, it’s gotta get a lot better.”

Aikman’s comments also come at a time when the Cowboys are under pressure to turn their season around. With six games into the season, the team is still searching for consistency, and the offense has been a major point of concern. The Cowboys’ wide receivers, including Lamb, are expected to play a crucial role in the team’s success, and their lackluster performance has raised questions about the team’s playoff hopes.

Lamb’s contract extension was meant to solidify him as one of the premier receivers in the league, but so far, his performance has not lived up to the contract’s expectations. The Cowboys were counting on Lamb to take a step forward this season, especially with his new deal, but Aikman’s critique suggests that there is still a lot of room for improvement.

For the Cowboys, the upcoming games will be crucial, not just for their playoff ambitions, but for restoring confidence in their offense. Aikman’s call-out of Lamb and the other receivers is likely to add pressure, but it may also serve as a wake-up call for the players and coaching staff.

As Aikman continues his work as an NFL analyst, his perspective carries significant weight, particularly for a franchise he once led to glory. His candid comments highlight not just his disappointment as a former player, but also his insight into what it takes to be successful in the league. If the Cowboys hope to salvage their season, their wide receivers—starting with CeeDee Lamb—will need to step up and deliver at a level befitting their talent and contracts.