Ranking the 44 starting quarterbacks in Cowboys’ history

Jun 11, 2023
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Ranking the 44 starting quarterbacks in Cowboys’ history 1

Dak Prescott enters the 2023 season looking to move up the rankings of Dallas Cowboys’ all-time greats at quarterback. At this moment, only six men stand between him and the top.

Since the Cowboys joined the NFL in 1960, 44 players have started for the team at quarterback. While regular season numbers are great, the playoff records separate the elite cream from the rest.

Five of the 44 have led the team to an NFC/NFL Championship game. Only three have led the team to the Super Bowl. Just two have won the big game.

Here is how the 44 starters stack up:

The Elite Two

  • Name/Years Played GP/Starts Reg Sea. / Playoffs
  • Troy Aikman (1989-2000) 165/165 94-71 / 11-4
  • Roger Staubach (1969-79) 131/114 85-29 / 11-6

At one point, Aikman was 11-1 in postseason play. He lost his last three playoff games when both he, and the Cowboys, were on the decline.

Troy Aikman warms up prior to the Dallas Cowboys playing the Phoenix Cardinals on Nov. 22, 1992 in Tempe. Arizona. Photo by Richard Paolinelli.

But he’s 3-0 in the Super Bowl and 3-1 in the NFC Conference championship game. He started all 165 games he played in, leading the team all-time in both categories.

He went 94-71 in the regular season and 11-4 in the playoffs. That’s enough to rank him just ahead of Roger.

Staubach was no slouch. He started 114 games in his 131-game career. Staubach finished an incredible 85-29 in the regular season and 11-6 in the playoffs.

He won two of the four Super Bowls he led the team to. His storied history of comebacks is unmatched.

The Four Star Generals

  • Craig Morton (1965-72) 101/47 32-14-1 / 3-2
  • Danny White (1976-87) 166/92 62-30 / 5-5
  • Don Meredith (1960-68) 104/83 47-32-4 / 1-3

Morton gets a slight edge only because he actually got the team to the Super Bowl, albeit with a little help from Staubach.

His regular season mark of 32-14-1 is solid and he did finish with a winning record in the playoffs.

White’s 62-30 record is actually ahead of Prescott’s pace. While he managed to lead Dallas to three straight NFC title games, he lost all three.

Cowboys Headlines - Cowboys Beyond the Clock: Undrafted Wonder Don Meredith

Meredith survived the rocky early years of the franchise. Unfortunately he had to contend with the Browns and the Packers. But at least he played for an NFL championship.

Franchise Quarterbacks

  • Tony Romo (2006-2015) 156/127 78-49 / 2-4
  • Dak Prescott (2016-22) 97/97 61-36 / 2-4

Both Romo and Prescott share one quality. They are both unarguably franchise quarterbacks.

But elite? No, at least not yet in Prescott’s case.

Both have put up impressive numbers in the regular season. But both have 2-4 records in the playoffs and neither has advanced beyond the divisional rounds.

Stepped Up When Needed

  • Steve Beuerlein (1991-92) 24/4 4-0 / 1-1
  • Cooper Rush (2021-22) 19/6 5-1 / 0-0
  • Jason Garrett (1993-99) 23/9 6-3 / 0-0

Having a backup who can step in and win games when your starter goes down is a rare find. The Cowboys have had three such players.

Beuerlein made the most of his four starts for Aikman and even won a playoff game. Aside from the debacle in Philadelphia last year, Rush certainly got the job done.

Cooper Rush (10) looks downfield as Dak Prescott looks on.

Garrett’s 6-3 record as a starter is certainly solid. He even got some action in the playoffs, going 2-for-2 passing in 1996.

The One-Hit Wonders

  • Clint Longley (1974-75) 6/1 1-0 / 0-0
  • Rodney Peete (1994) 7/1 1-0 / 0-0
  • Glenn Carano (1978-83) 36/1 1-0 / 0-0
  • Drew Henson (2004) 7/1 1-0 / 0-0
  • Stephen McGee (2010-11) 3/1 1-0 / 0-0

These five players had one shot to start a game and made the most of it. Longley certainly being the most notable.

A year after the Mad Bombers’ incredible Thanksgiving Day comeback win over the Redskins in relief of Staubach he got his lone start.

Cowboys look to gobble up Washington on Thanksgiving Day
Clint Longley rallied Dallas to an unlikely 24-23 victory over the Redskins (Nate Fine/Chicago Tribune)

In the 1975 season finale at the Jets, Longley earned a 31-21 victory. A few weeks later, mopping up an NFC Championship win over the Rams, he completed both of his passes for 26 yards.

Oh You Poor Sweet Child

  • Quincy Carter (2001-03) 31/31 16-15 / 0-1
  • Drew Bledsoe (2005-06) 22/22 12-10 / 0-0
  • Gary Hogeboom (1984-85) 45/12 6-6 / 0-0
  • Kevin Sweeney (1987-88) 6/4 2-2 / 0-0
  • Clint Stoerner (2000-01) 5/2 1-1 / 0-0
  • Andy Dalton (2020) 11/9 4-5 / 0-0
  • Jon Kitna (2010) 13/9 4-5 / 0-0
  • Vinny Testaverde (2004) 16/15 5-10 / 0-0
  • Randall Cunningham (2000) 6/3 1-2 / 0-0
  • Brad Johnson (2008) 32/3 1-2 / 0-0
  • Jerry Rhome (1965-66) 33/3 1-2 / 0-0
  • Chad Hutchinson (2002) 10/9 2-7 / 0-0
  • Eddie LeBaron (1960-63) 52/28 5-22-1 / 0-0
  • Steve Pelluer (1986-88) 47/27 8-19 / 0-0
  • Steve Walsh (1989) 9/5 1-4 / 0-0
  • Anthony Wright (2000-01) 8/5 1-4 / 0-0
  • Matt Cassel (2015) 8/7 1-6 / 0-0

Its notable that seven of these 17 players all started in the post Troy Aikman era prior to Romo’s arrival. Four of them played during a similar drought between the White and Aikman eras.

It was definitely not the best of times at Texas Stadium. But at least Quincy Carter managed to start a playoff game. There’s that for him over the others.

The Winless Brigade

  • Bernie Kosar (1993) 4/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Ben DiNucci (2020) 3/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Garrett Gilbert (2020) 1/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Don Heinrich (1960) 12/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Kyle Orton (2012-13) 4/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Reggie Collier (1986) 4/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Babe Laufenberg (1989-90) 7/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Wade Wilson (1995-97) 17/1 0-1 / 0-0
  • Kellen Moore (2015) 3/2 0-2 / 0-0
  • Ryan Leaf (2001) 4/3 0-3 / 0-0
  • John Roach (1964) 9/4 0-4 / 0-0
  • Brandon Weeden (2014-15) 9/4 0-4 / 0-0

Oof. Sorry boys. Although Kosar lost his only start in November 1993, he made up for it in January in the NFC Championship game.

Ranking the 44 starting quarterbacks in Cowboys’ history

With Aikman out with a concussion and the 49ers getting back to with two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter it was looking grim in Irving.

But Kosar got the save in relief, throwing a huge touchdown pass, and kept Dallas on track for back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli is an award-winning sports journalist with 34 years of professional newsroom experience. His newspaper career (1991–2011) includes the Gallup Independent, Modesto Bee, Gustine Press-Standard, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, Patch, and San Francisco Examiner. He received the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association Best Sports Story award. Richard has authored two non-fiction sports books and 11 novels. At InsideTheStar.com, he has published 874 articles reaching over 728,000 readers.

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Douglas Paul
Douglas Paul
Jun 11, 2023 12:49 PM

LOL the duk who suks is the #1 CHOKER vs anyone decent. #CutTheDuk

Cowboys fan
Cowboys fan
Jun 11, 2023 1:14 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

That’s false!! You mite wanna pay more attention to the games, instead of paying attention to what other people say!! The team only lost 5 games last year, and you can’t tell me out of the other 12 wins, there wasn’t any good teams!! That comment is just bs!! And like I said in another comment, it takes a team to win games, not just the QB!!

SolomanA
SolomanA
Jun 11, 2023 6:25 PM
Reply to  Cowboys fan

“… instead of paying attention to what other people say!!”

Why would so many others be saying negative things about this QB?

He was 8-4 last year, 1-1 in the playoffs. This has nothing to do with Romo or Rush, but Prescott, the QB who throws such errant passes his own receivers dish on him. Maybe he can be better with experienced coaching, but should one hold their breath after 7 years? Sadly, he will likely get an extension to lead the team for even more barren years. Us old-time fans, who know quality QB play, can only hope to outlive this poser of a QBs next contract.

“The team only lost 5 games last year… “

The record that matters most in 2022 is 1-1, namely the loss in the final game. That was one of the poorest excuses of quarterbacking I have seen in many years. Last year’s playoff exit was about the same.

It’s unfortunate that so many are satisfied with just getting to the playoffs. I really do hope Prescott does well in a new offensive setting, but hope is not a good strategy. Of course, maybe the explanation is, I’ve always been a team-first fan, not a player-fanboi.

PA Cowboys fan
Jun 12, 2023 11:49 AM
Reply to  Cowboys fan

And four of those losses happened while Prescott was under center. He has an uncanny knack of disappearing in the playoffs. Maybe the offense leans to much on him, I wasn’t a big fan of Kellen Moore’s at times vanilla offense. Maybe running the ball more might take the pressure off him some what. Dak needs to get this team to the NFC title game this year to earn an extension.

E Franklin Kistle
E Franklin Kistle
Jun 12, 2023 12:51 AM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

Douglas Paul that’s why he spanks the eagles every year

Douglas Paul
Douglas Paul
Jun 12, 2023 12:25 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

E Franklin Kistle LOL, He sure got spanked by the LAST Player in the draft, easily….UGH the Duk Suks!

E Franklin Kistle
E Franklin Kistle
Jun 12, 2023 12:28 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

Douglas Paul no I think San Francisco defense won the game not purdy. And it was far from a spanking

Lawrence
Lawrence
Jun 13, 2023 8:55 AM

Brick Purdy was under CONSTANT PRESSURE from the Dallas Defense. Kellen Moore’s dumb ass lost that game, not Dak Prescott!!!!

Robert
Robert
Oct 16, 2023 6:36 PM
Reply to  Lawrence

Perhaps so; but in the first quarter (after which I turned off the game) Dak did absolutely NADA.

Douglas Paul
Douglas Paul
Jun 12, 2023 12:29 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

Yes Purdy showed Poise under pressure, something the duk cant ever do. How many times do you need to see the duk CHOKE under pressure of playing anyone decent? UGH the duk Suks!

Douglas Paul
Douglas Paul
Jun 12, 2023 11:02 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

Jay Loos Kidds, so funny how losers like a loser, choker..

Douglas Paul
Douglas Paul
Jun 12, 2023 11:03 PM
Reply to  Douglas Paul

Jay Loos You so quickly forget how awful the duk was when he last played. So forgetful. Too much drinking perhaps? Or you have no clue to begin with? LOL Kids…

Terrance
Terrance
Jun 11, 2023 9:04 AM

Well done!
Thanks for this article. It happened to come out after I’ve been in comment sections arguing with fans that won’t admit that their anti-Dak and their CONSTANT references to Quincy Carter being the worst quarterback of the barren years that were between Aikman and Romo is deeply rooted in racist attitudes.
Quincy Carter was nowhere near their worst quarterback of the barren years. In fact, I’ll even argue that Carter actually threw the best deep, accurate spiral of ANY quarterback they had since Aikman.
Carter’s highlights are there for any doubter to go watch. Most fanATICs won’t bother with researching though, most are content with ignorantly repeating what they’ve heard being repeated by other ignorant repeaters.
Btw, the entire narrative about Dak is rooted in bias and racism. I’m positive that if he were white the negativity would be be dialed down dramatically.
It’s amazing how many fanATICs choose to be negative as if they truly don’t want Dak to succeed. I do not recall this much negativity towards Romo while he was playing. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I also don’t recall Romo winning a bunch of playoff games and avoiding DEVASTATING interceptions.
Romo is white(I KNOW he’s half Mexican but his dad is a WHITE Mexican) with a blonde/blue wife so white fanATICs lived vicariously through Romo and downplayed his shortcomings and tendency to throw untimely picks.
How about supporting Dak if you’re truly wanting Dallas success because with fans like you, who needs enemies.

Rich Smith
Jun 11, 2023 11:19 AM
Reply to  Terrance

Racism, my achin butt. Why is it always the race card with people? How about not throwing 15 picks? Whats the excuse gonna be this year? Sore toe.

Cowboys fan
Cowboys fan
Jun 11, 2023 12:59 PM
Reply to  Rich Smith

Just cause Dak was credited with 15 interceptions, it doesn’t mean they were all on him!! At least half of them were on the receivers…. Either cause they couldn’t catch the ball, or cause they ran the wrong route!! Dak has never had a turnover problem, last year was a mix of what I mentioned above, plus he just came back from having surgery on a broken thumb!! I’ll admit that a few of them were because he threw a bad pass, but Dak isn’t the only one to do that…. Every QB in the NFL has thrown a few bad passes in a game, but not all of them were coming back from having surgery on a broken thumb!!

VAM
VAM
Jun 11, 2023 12:02 PM
Reply to  Terrance

What’s a White Mexican??? Mexican by definition is HISPANIC.

It’s unfortunate that some people have to bring race into a conversation about opinions on the abilities and results of football players. I wasn’t a fan of Romo b/c he couldn’t get to the BIG GAMES, just the same as Prescott. Race has nothing to do with it.
FO should have drafted a promising young QB to compete with DP THIS YEAR. His sample size is 7 years now, and big enough for me to see he is not the answer. But obviously what I comment here will have no implications on what the FO does with him. Time will tell, but I won’t be holding my breath till we see another consequential game with DP under center.

“How about supporting Dak…”, If it weren’t for WHITE asses in the stands SUPPORTING the team, your Dak and every other BLACK player CERTAINLY wouldn’t be making multi millions a year.

BTW, Carter screwed himself with a drug addiction. Can’t blame the WHITE MAN for that!!!

Cowboys fan
Cowboys fan
Jun 11, 2023 1:09 PM
Reply to  VAM

You do realize that it takes a whole team to win games, and not just the QB right!! Dak took our offense from the bottom of the league with Cooper Rush at QB, to being a top 5 offense, and he did that with just one good receiver!! So rather you like it or not, Dak is good enough, he just needs a o line to protect him, which he hasn’t had in years, and a defense that can stop the run!! And I still till this day think that we would’ve beat the 49ers in the playoffs last year if it wasn’t for Pollard getting hurt!! The game stayed pretty much tied the whole game, up until Pollard got hurt, and that’s when we stalled!! The point is, Dak is good enough, but it takes more than one player to win games…. It takes a whole team to do that!!

VAM
VAM
Jun 11, 2023 6:31 PM
Reply to  Cowboys fan

Rush had the same O-line, defense, WRs, and went 4-1. Couple years ago, DP he had Cooper, CeeDee, Gallup, Ced, AND safety blanket D Schultz, plus TP and EE. That’s A LOT OF FIREPOWER.

Joe Burrow didn’t have an O- line. Brady was WINNING SBs with the likes of Cowboy cast off Danny Amendola, 7TH ROUNDER Kent State converted QB Julian Edelman, etc. A-Rod won games with fourth and fifth string WRs.

Every year it’s just more of the same rehashed excuses, the D, the O-line, the WRs, etc. After a while that gets very OLD. If DP is “good enough” for some, fine. But we really don’t what this team could be if they drafted A PROMISING YOUNG QB this year at the latest, to at least give this guy some real competition. Competition makes a team better. Iron sharpens iron.

Dave
Dave
Jun 11, 2023 9:04 PM
Reply to  Cowboys fan

You are correct about winning taking the whole team. I have to believe that romos numbers and place on this list would look much better with a more complete teams around him.

Richard Paolinelli
Jun 11, 2023 10:03 PM
Reply to  Dave

They would indeed and so will Dak’s if he progresses this year, unlike last year’s regression, and at least gets the Cowboys to the NFC Championship game.
I’ve said all along, regular season numbers mean nothing if you don’t get it done in the playoffs.
Its why both Romo and Prescott landed where they did. Prescott at least has a chance to change his position.

Robert
Robert
Jun 11, 2023 11:05 PM
Reply to  VAM

Being Mexican, qualifies me as being Latino, not Hispanic. Hispanic is neither a race or nationality. The term Hispanic is a word derived by the American government.
Also, we should be talking about the players abilities, or lack thereof, for how they performed. Race should have no merit in discussing our Cowboys position. Throwing all stats out the window Dak deserved a lot but not all the slack being thrown at him. Being a team sport, the blame should be shared by all. That being said, Dak has played horribly in the 2 losses to SF IN THE LAST 2 playoff years. Also being qb off our Cowboys comes with a target on your back and he knows that.

Dave
Dave
Jun 11, 2023 3:49 PM
Reply to  Terrance

Nothing to do with race. Carter was the 1st pick for the Cowboys so his abject failure is multiplied. Justifiably so with any high flop pick. Romo was an elite QB on some very very bad Dallas team. Venture to say he literally carried us. He had no running game and no line most of the time. Dak has been very good and even excellent with a very good running game and his first year almost the entire O line went to the Pro Bowl. There have been a plethera of Romo haters both on line and in print so no idea where you get the idea he has been excused for his mistake. Dak has the potential to be an elite top 5 QB but he hasn’t gotten there yet. Also Dak’s girlfriend for the last few years is a pretty blonde so what does Romos blond wife have to do with anything. Personally I rank our top 5 Roger, Troy, Tony, Danny, Dak. Mind you I’m just talking about playing the position not necessarily wins or SB as many have said football is the ultimate team sport.

SolomanA
SolomanA
Jun 11, 2023 6:32 PM
Reply to  Terrance

Btw, the entire narrative about Dak is rooted in bias and racism.”

Actually, it’s rooted in the fact that he simply isn’t that good. Yes, you can throw all the stats out there that you want, but the stat that matters most is 2-4. Prescott shat (shitted?) the bed in the biggest game of the year two years in a row. This is not opinion, racism, or exaggeration, it is fact.

Robert
Robert
Oct 16, 2023 6:54 PM
Reply to  SolomanA

I don’t care what color Dak is. He is only interested in GREEN. He is an overpaid, average QB; and certainly not Superbowl quality. We can look forward to a season of 50% wins and maybe a wild-card chance of making the play-offs. Watch and see. I’m not going to waste my time.

Rasputin
Rasputin
Jun 11, 2023 11:23 AM

You’re not ranking them by individual traits or feats though. Eddie LeBaron literally made a Pro Browl during the expansion years. He was a good QB Landry pulled out of retirement to lead the new team while mentoring Meredith until Don was ready to take over. Of course he’s not gonna have a winning record. But he elevated Dallas and made them a lot more competitive than they otherwise would have been then. He helped put butts in the seats and kept the franchise alive long enough to become good. He deserves better than being lumped in with the “you poor child” list.

And its gone
And its gone
Jun 11, 2023 11:42 AM

PrEscOtt is DesERvinG oF sO mucH PraiSE!

Jay Cool Cal
Jay Cool Cal
Jun 11, 2023 4:09 PM

That was literally one of the worst list articles I’ve ever read, I think it’s safe to say he got two out of 44 right. Not bad, right? Lololololol

Last edited 2 years ago by Jay Cool Cal
Roy Lynch
Roy Lynch
Jun 12, 2023 7:05 AM

I think Dandy Don should be in the first tier. He was an excellent QB.

Danny White has never got the respect he deserves. I am glad to see him listed in the second tier.

Tom George
Tom George
Jun 12, 2023 1:26 PM
Reply to  Roy Lynch

Roy Lynch
Danny White has a SB ring and even played QB in that SB.

Sherrill Thomas
Sherrill Thomas
Jun 14, 2023 8:59 AM
Reply to  Roy Lynch

Roy Lynch I liked Danny White

Roy Lynch
Roy Lynch
Jun 14, 2023 8:05 PM
Reply to  Roy Lynch

Sherrill Thomas He was a very good QB . He spent to much of his career sitting behind Rodger.

Sherrill Thomas
Sherrill Thomas
Jun 14, 2023 10:43 PM
Reply to  Roy Lynch

Roy Lynch very underrated

Vincent Hodges
Vincent Hodges
Jun 12, 2023 7:46 AM

These 2 were my favorite 3 Super Bowls + Roger Staubach was Captain Come back, Aikman did Amazing Job with Jimmy Johnson, Jerry should kept Jimmy he would have tied with Bellichek/ Patriots; Dak Prescott has to be consistently not 2nd guess himself,build confidence.Never throw the ball when ur reciever slipping down. Stop the turnovers period.Study all Troy Aikman films, ask him, take his advice HOF Statis ♥
Media:comment image%3Fkid%3Dbe302117%26ct%3Ds&h=AT1cQZttSt3NdllvjKIKj8P3VZB1ImoLJ65uTIQSKWRmO14poqlDq4vkP2hme47YPID6dLYMyHTbQYoYTjSoRP8i62r9qMNbOb0HvqAQKqKVjlCUnKiQTtHM6tPfOx9r&s=1

Johnny Pedigo
Johnny Pedigo
Jun 12, 2023 5:22 PM
Reply to  Vincent Hodges

Vincent Hodges you do know Aikman td:int ratio is 165-141 and Dak is 166-65 right? I think everyone’s perception of Dak is off.

Jay Loos
Jay Loos
Jun 12, 2023 10:38 PM
Reply to  Vincent Hodges

Johnny Pedigo ya think?! I like Troy but they certainly didn’t win 3 super bowls bcuz of him..Troy had the best oline..the best defense in the league..the best running back and the best coach..those r all big factors..Troy barely threw more tds then int’s..could u imagine If Dak had those stats now..he gets bashed nonstop now for bein 60-36 record! Ya wonder y this fanbase gets ripped on. Nonstop!!

Tom Lance
Tom Lance
Jun 12, 2023 1:02 PM

Just paying someone top money, doesn’t make them a top quarterback. Prescott chokes, PERIOD!

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 1:35 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Tom Lance put the helmet and pads on then. Show em how it’s done pops

Tex Mcn
Tex Mcn
Jun 12, 2023 1:55 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Adrian D Lea ….and which team do you play for zoomer?

Tom Lance
Tom Lance
Jun 12, 2023 2:50 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Adrian D Lea can’t do it anymore but I can still name many Dallas quarterbacks that didn’t have the choke syndrome.

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 3:08 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Tom Lance who? What Qb after the year 2000 was more successful than Dak?

Tom Lance
Tom Lance
Jun 12, 2023 3:24 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Adrian D Lea All of a sudden it’s about quarterbacks since 2000? Matter of fact Romo didn’t choke. Believe what you want. I’m done.

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 3:34 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Tom Lance I mean why would you judge Dak Prescott on a qb before the year 2000? The cowboys have been losers since 1995 Dak was 2 years old. But after Troy name a good QB……just Romo. And Dak has as the same playoff record as romo in a shorter span.

Johnny Pedigo
Johnny Pedigo
Jun 12, 2023 5:17 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Tom Lance I’m sorry but as much as I liked Romo, I can’t count on both hands and toes how many times he tossed an Int toward the end of the games. He barely won 1/2 of his division games. I can recall at least 3 seasons where they needed to win final game to make playoffs and lost. Not saying it’s all Romo but if you’re saying Dak chokes, Romo choked worse and much more often. Dak has 3 more seasons to exceed what Romo accomplished and he’s already tied him so it won’t take much.

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 5:28 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Johnny Pedigo I’m glad same games as me. Dak is not nearly as bad as the cowboys fan base and the media make him out to be. It’s like he’s getting ridiculed for not being the best player in the nfl

Ronnie Strickland
Ronnie Strickland
Jun 12, 2023 7:42 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Johnny Pedigo Romo didn’t play both 9 full seasons. First two was on the bench or a few fill in games. Other seasons he played 1 game, 4 in another and 5 maybe in another. It will take Dak 4 to 5 years to pass him yardage, come from behind win Dak will need 10. Dak had lost more games on last drive than Tomo. Dak isn’t no better than Romo. Both where chokers

Johnny Pedigo
Johnny Pedigo
Jun 12, 2023 8:06 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Adrian D Lea I agree. He’s better than a lot of QBs drafted well ahead of him. I wonder if Payton manning or Drew Brees got ridiculed this much…they both took longer to get to a championship game than Dak has been playing. Heck, AR is 1-4 in championship games but he’s one of the greatest of all time?

Rick Austin
Rick Austin
Jun 12, 2023 8:50 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

By far the most overpaid QB in Cowboys history

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 8:51 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Johnny Pedigo right people forget Drew Brees threw 22 interceptions.

Johnny Pedigo
Johnny Pedigo
Jun 12, 2023 10:22 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Ronnie Strickland Romo played 156 games which is about 10 seasons. Dak has already matched Romo where it matters. Division champions, and playoff victories. The next playoff season or victory will place him ahead of Romo. They are both great 4th qtr QBs but Daks win-loss record is much better than Romo’s. Dak has lost 4 division games since 2017…7 since he came into the league in 2016…27-7 overall. Romo was 33-26 against the division. Don’t you enjoy watching Dallas beat the division every year? With Romo almost every other division game was a loss.

Ronnie Strickland
Ronnie Strickland
Jun 13, 2023 2:36 AM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Rick Austin he isn’t a great one for sure. Him and his Twin Kirk Cousins is all about stats. Neither one will win a championships game and both dreams this is the year. Dak favor speech before every season. And where is he at the end? Watching it from a seat like us.

Tom LoPinto
Tom LoPinto
Jun 14, 2023 2:38 PM
Reply to  Tom Lance

Rick Austin I mean that’s pretty obvious with the way salaries have ballooned.

Leonard Trevino
Leonard Trevino
Jun 12, 2023 1:13 PM

❤️⭐️

Tom Knapp
Tom Knapp
Jun 12, 2023 1:50 PM

One of these QBs is drastically underrated. I’m going to put up the stats from 2 QBs and let’s make a comparison. But, I’m not going to say who or when the stats are from at first:

QB A:
7 Games
29 points/game
182 Completions
283 Attempts
64% completion
7.69 yards/attempt
19 TDs
6.7 TDs/100 attempts
4 interceptions
104.22 passer rating

QB B:
8 Games (+1)
22.25 points/game (-6.75)
178 completions (-4)
282 attempts (-1)
63.12% completion (-.88)
7.35 yards/attempt (-.64)
15 TDs (-4)
5.3 TDs/100 attempts (-1.4)
2 interceptions (-2)
100.9 passer rating (-3.3)

It would be fair to say that they both have pretty good stats, but the nod should go to QB A for more yards and more TDs in 1 less game. Also more yards/attempt, higher completion percentage, and scored a TD more per game. QB B only had 2 ints, but 4 isn’t bad either.

Now, for the real kicker. QB A was 0-7 and QB B was 8-0. QB A is Tony Romo in his losses in 2013 and QB B is Eli Manning in his 2 “SB runs”.

There were a few other things at play that should be examined:

QB A (Romo):
0-7
Average points given up by defense: 37
Opponents held to 20 or fewer points: 1
Opponents scoring 30+: 6 (OUT OF 7?!?!?!?)
Opposing QB passer rating: 117
Games LOST by 4 or less points: 5

QB B (Eli):
8-0
Average points given up by defense: 16 (-21 vs what Romo’s defense gave up)
Opponents held to 20 or fewer points: 8 (+7)
Opponents scoring 30+: ZERO (-6)
Opposing QB passer rating: 74
Games WON by 4 or less points: 5

Eli barely won 5 of 8 games when his defense didn’t allow a game over 20 points and averaged 16. Romo almost won 5 of 7 when his defense gave up an average of 37 points. Eli was called a playoff genius and Romo was criticized for not doing enough.

And beyond that, Romo was the first QB in history to lose a playoff game with a 140+ passer rating (2014 vs Green Bay). Everyone seems to forget the easy TD run Murray had when he fumbled, the horrible call that ended the game, and the fact that Rodgers was playing on crutches and the defense still couldn’t get to him. But, let’s blame the guy keeping the Cowboys in the game.

Romo is a highly underrated QB that was victimized many times by his own team and just bad luck.

Dean Turman
Dean Turman
Jun 12, 2023 4:50 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Eli never played for the cowboys

Johnny Pedigo
Johnny Pedigo
Jun 12, 2023 5:20 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom Knapp finally someone who understands football is a team sport. About the only exception is Mahomes. I think that guy could win with a group of high schoolers lol.

Book Nutz
Book Nutz
Jun 12, 2023 8:31 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom Knapp very well said.

Tom Knapp
Tom Knapp
Jun 13, 2023 2:59 AM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Dean Turman No, but it goes to show that Eli was carried with worst stats by the defense and hailed a hero. Romo literally carried the Cowboys for a decade and was called the problem.

The final result doesn’t always tell the complete story.

Joe Pizano
Joe Pizano
Jun 14, 2023 2:33 AM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom Knapp 100%

Tom LoPinto
Tom LoPinto
Jun 14, 2023 2:35 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom Knapp Romo has better per game numbers than Eli in every single category except passing yards.

These are stats, and they don’t lie.

Romo
248 TDs, 117 Ints
2.12:1 TD:Int ratio
1.65 TDs per game
0.78 Ints per game
228 yards per game
97.1 QB rating
92-64 record, .590

Eli
366 TDs, 244 Ints
1.5:1 TD:Int ratio
1.55 TDs per game
1.03 Ints per game
241 yards per game
84.1 QB rating
118-118 record, .500

Eli has better totals because he just played longer. He won 8 playoff games in the 2 SB seasons but never won another one in his other 14 seasons. And the Giants had a great Def those 2 years. Something Romo never had. They held NE to 14 and 17 pts in the 2 SBs or NY doesn’t win. Eli was the MVP because the QB almost always gets it and you can’t give it to the entire Def. Eli also led the league in Ints 4x. I would take Romo over Eli any day. Unfortunately because of Eli’s inflated numbers and the 2 SB wins, he will be in the Hall of Fame and Romo won’t.

Oh and you forgot the Romo to Crayton pass in the 2007 playoffs vs NY that Crayton would have taken to the house…if he caught it.
Dallas probably wins that game if he catches it.

Tom Knapp
Tom Knapp
Jun 15, 2023 5:27 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom LoPinto Romo was a much superior QB, he just wasn’t dragged through 2 postseasons like Eli was. Eli never beat a single playoff team that scored more than 20 points and he still barely won 5/8 games.

The comparisons don’t stop there.

300+ yard games:
Eli: 51
Romo: 46 (-5)

3+ TD games
Eli: 49
Romo: 40 (-9)

100+ Passer Rating Games:
Eli: 64
Romo: 68 (+4)

Now might be a good time to point out something else about them….

Regular season games:
Eli: 234 (117-117 record)
Romo: 127 (78-49 record) (-107 games played)

Romo pretty much kept pace with Eli while playing in 107 fewer games. I don’t understand how anyone remotely thinks that Eli was a great QB. Even if it was 100% him in both playoffs, which it nearly 100% was not, that does not justify his below average career.

Eli only has his high career totals because he played 16 years. Even below average years will add up if given enough time. His TD percentage and yards/attempt are not even in the top 70 all time.

Tom Knapp
Tom Knapp
Jun 15, 2023 5:38 PM
Reply to  Tom Knapp

Tom LoPinto Sometimes stats don’t tell an entire story. You point out that Eli had more yards/game (+13) and that is correct. He also averaged 34.4 attempts/game vs Romo’s 27.8 attempts/game. That’s basically 13 more yards on 7 more attempts. Not impressive.

Bill Nems
Bill Nems
Jun 12, 2023 2:15 PM

I don’t see how Romo or Prescott can be considered franchise qbs.

Adrian D Lea
Adrian D Lea
Jun 12, 2023 2:21 PM
Reply to  Bill Nems

Bill Nems well having winning records and playing for a decade will probably make you a franchise Qb….most non franchise players get cut after 3-4 years and don’t win in the regular season nor any playoff victories….both Dak and romo have broken franchise and have winning records

Bill Nems
Bill Nems
Jun 12, 2023 2:34 PM
Reply to  Bill Nems

Adrian D Lea Well you got me to go back and look. Despite the lack of playff wins, both are 2-4, Romo has certainly amassed some stats in 14 seasons with Dallas. Dak has played 7 seasons. How time flys.

Bill Nems
Bill Nems
Jun 12, 2023 3:58 PM
Reply to  Bill Nems

Ultimately Jerry Jones and the Cowboys will have to make the decision re dak. I’m not a Cowboys’ fan but was interested in the article.

Ziggy King
Ziggy King
Jun 12, 2023 3:31 PM

If you combine the arm of Romo,
The scrambling ability of Roger,
the sole Dandy Don. Making
Good reed’s, Prescott must get
bettet.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=253419137335822&set=p.253419137335822&type=3

Tom Knapp
Tom Knapp
Jun 13, 2023 3:00 AM
Reply to  Ziggy King

Ziggy King You never saw Romo scramble?

Nathan Myers
Nathan Myers
Jun 12, 2023 4:30 PM

Rank them how you like after Staubach 1 and Aikman 2

Albert Morrow
Albert Morrow
Jun 12, 2023 5:13 PM

Dak is 7 years junk get this looser gone

Kip Reid
Kip Reid
Jun 12, 2023 7:18 PM
Reply to  Albert Morrow

Albert Morrow you can always go root for another team. Oh and take your A$$ back to school and learn how to spell loser. Not looser lmao.

Tom Owen Meinen
Tom Owen Meinen
Jun 12, 2023 7:14 PM

For stepped up when needed, they needed to include Bernie Kosar and Jon Kitna.

Dainen Bryant
Dainen Bryant
Jun 12, 2023 8:12 PM

Roger Troy don the end

Felix Ahrlett
Felix Ahrlett
Jun 12, 2023 8:43 PM

Staubach was a 27 year old rookie, imagine how many records he would hold, if he had attended a 4 year college, with no 3 year obligation.

Nancy Griffin Cowan
Nancy Griffin Cowan
Jun 15, 2023 2:08 AM
Reply to  Felix Ahrlett

Felix Ahrlett Staubach, a class act and phenomenal QB!

Mike Self
Mike Self
Jun 12, 2023 8:52 PM

Dak has a long ways to go. The two men pictured have a GOOD NIT MORE SB’s that dak.

Gilbert Guerrero
Gilbert Guerrero
Jun 12, 2023 9:45 PM

Only six? That’s about 50 years of experience that they are suggesting he will surpass. LOL.

TB Fla
TB Fla
Jun 12, 2023 9:49 PM

Why?

Lance Boykin
Lance Boykin
Jun 12, 2023 10:57 PM

We need another General like Aikman was. Dak can do it but he better start owning the playoffs

Aurelio Gonzales
Aurelio Gonzales
Jun 12, 2023 11:12 PM

I absolutely love Roger; but Aikman was almost mistake free in those three SBs. As uncanny and great as Roger was for making things happen, he also could throw costly interceptions in the SB. He also fumbled about five times. I’m not even sure Aikman had a fumble in the SB. But Roger retired on top of the game, while Aikman had a obvious decline.

Dale Hanson
Dale Hanson
Jun 12, 2023 11:44 PM

Its hard for me to agree with Morton and White being ahead of Romo. Romo only had a real coach when he first started out and he never had a defense or a group of WR and OL like they did until the very last part of his career and then he got hurt and Dak took over. Romo has one of the best QB ratings. Football is the ultimate team sport and Romo never had a team built around him. I would have liked to see how his career would have worked out if he had Landry or Jimmy or if Parcells had of stayed. Dak is far from elite, but we are lucky to have him and not have to go through all those QBs like from Aikman to Romo.

Tom LoPinto
Tom LoPinto
Jun 14, 2023 2:40 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Dale Hanson Romo should be 3rd. I’d take him over White, Meredith and Morton. Those 3 just played with better teams to get where they got.

Scott Osborne
Scott Osborne
Jun 14, 2023 6:41 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Dale Hanson good ratings but no super bowls and thats what counts. Rodger and Troy are the real stars.

Dale Hanson
Dale Hanson
Jun 14, 2023 9:38 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Scott Osborne No question, but I think he is at #3.

Scott Osborne
Scott Osborne
Jun 14, 2023 9:49 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Dale Hanson romo always crapped out in the first round of the play offs. Atleast Dak got to the second round before he peed. Romo was a waste of $ really and a let down , I mean yea he was a rocket passer but he couldn’t finish and was always taking the play clock to the last second.

Dale Hanson
Dale Hanson
Jun 14, 2023 9:51 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Scott Osborne Look at Romo’s record for the amount of 4Q comebacks. He didn’t crap out he just didn’t have the talent around him or the coaching. Blame that on Jerry.

Mike Bisunia
Mike Bisunia
Jun 15, 2023 2:55 PM
Reply to  Dale Hanson

Scott Osborne Romo made it to the second round twice. Beat Eagles in WC round but Lost to Farve and Vikings in 2010. Beat Detroit in the WC round but lost to GB in the Div round in 2015. Keep in mind, he lost to GB with a 143.6 Rating. Not much more you can do there. Especially if the defense can’t stop a gimpy Rodgers.

Eric Frederick
Eric Frederick
Jun 13, 2023 12:55 AM

There are only 10 or so worthy of being ranked.

Joe Fitzpatrick
Joe Fitzpatrick
Jun 13, 2023 1:24 AM

Dak is a choker!

Jimmy Parkes
Jimmy Parkes
Jun 13, 2023 1:25 AM

Randall Cunningham the best QB the Cowboys ever had

Louann Smith
Louann Smith
Jun 13, 2023 3:13 AM

Dak not a winner for Dallas Cowboys.

Necols Harry
Necols Harry
Jun 13, 2023 12:27 PM
Reply to  Louann Smith

Louann Smith hi pretty lady how are you doing

Tom LoPinto
Tom LoPinto
Jun 14, 2023 3:02 PM
Reply to  Louann Smith

Louann Smith Not a winner of SBs because it’s a team sport and Dallas had no Def for Dak’s first 5 seasons when he, Zeke, the WRs and the offensive line were great. Now they have a great Def and the offensive line isn’t as good, Zeke was washed up, and they lost all but one WR in 2022. But Dak is 61-36 (.629) with 166 TDs and only 65 Ints and a 97.8 career passer rating. So he is a winner. He had one down season so far. He just needs to win when it counts. They need to put it all together in the same season. Have a good offense and defense at the same time and don’t get out-coached.

Tom Howsmon
Tom Howsmon
Jun 13, 2023 3:50 AM

I’ll start. #44 Dak Prescott. But Jerry should sign him to a long term. Just another reason they’ll choke for the next ten years

Joseph L. Smith
Joseph L. Smith
Jun 13, 2023 11:14 AM

Roger Staubach will always be number 1.

Nicholas Bester
Nicholas Bester
Jun 13, 2023 12:46 PM

He won’t pass any of them. Considering the guys behind him are Beurlein, Cooper Rush, and Jason Garrett, that’s not saying much for Dak at all.

Michael Tallmadge
Michael Tallmadge
Jun 13, 2023 12:57 PM

Roger WAY on top.

Michael Tallmadge
Michael Tallmadge
Jun 13, 2023 12:58 PM

ROMO was ELITE. Pulled team from the Crapper on many occasions.

Richard Amerigo
Richard Amerigo
Jun 13, 2023 1:27 PM

Dak will never be like Troy or Roger! When he has two Super Bowl rings I will eat crow!

Ben Lopez Jr
Ben Lopez Jr
Jun 13, 2023 2:32 PM

No way

Michael Crump
Michael Crump
Jun 13, 2023 4:22 PM

Just delete your Facebook page now.

Fer Gary
Fer Gary
Jun 13, 2023 5:38 PM

Sweeny should be top 3

Bobby Hamilton
Bobby Hamilton
Jun 13, 2023 6:53 PM

All QB’s from 2000 on?
Should not be in the same class as those before them. Stated protecting the QB. To many rules to protect them. Defense players were able to go put a hit on a QB. Now,they have to think,where can I hit him and NOT be flag or or be fined…
Players are far more bigger an stronger than those of today’s.

Dennis Monk
Dennis Monk
Jun 13, 2023 9:04 PM

romo was better than Danny white, or Meredith for that matter. Come on!

Jimmy Daily
Jimmy Daily
Jun 13, 2023 11:32 PM

Should have made a special category for Leaf; those we choose not to talk about….

Vinnie Halpin
Vinnie Halpin
Jun 13, 2023 11:35 PM

Roger 14 points down 4 qtr came out with the win best ever

Joe Pizano
Joe Pizano
Jun 14, 2023 2:38 AM

I don’t care who made this list.
Ranking is Romo,
Troy
Staubach,
Prescott
And I never got to really watch Staubach, Craig Morton, Meredith or Danny white much but if I had this would still be my top 4

Arturo Delmoni
Arturo Delmoni
Jun 14, 2023 10:33 AM

Are you feckin kidding me? You think Prescott will ever challenge the really great ones? EVER????

Alfred Pena
Alfred Pena
Jun 14, 2023 2:40 PM

Where’s Quincy Carter? He should be up there since he was Jerry Jones hand picked QB.

Tom LoPinto
Tom LoPinto
Jun 14, 2023 2:41 PM

David Grisham Lol. I still have my signed Larry Brown pic.

Larry D Ashlock
Larry D Ashlock
Jun 14, 2023 3:18 PM

Geesh

Adrián Estrada
Adrián Estrada
Jun 14, 2023 6:37 PM

Romo was elite, but had shitty defense, and sometimes not even a descent RB.

Stein Joe
Stein Joe
Jun 15, 2023 12:20 AM

Who cares

Jovita Macias
Jovita Macias
Jun 15, 2023 12:52 AM

Roger will be number one Quarterback

Darrell Long
Darrell Long
Jun 15, 2023 1:05 AM

Staubach
Troy
Romo
Danny White
Dak
Meredith
Morton
Garrett
LaBaron

John Leinen
John Leinen
Jun 15, 2023 1:36 AM

He want make it he just over rated and over paid

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