Top Five Quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboys’ History
Quarterbacks are more than just a player on the team, they are seen as the leaders of the offense, the catalyst for team success, and even the faces of their franchises.
While every franchise is notable for a few quarterbacks in their history, the Dallas Cowboys have many famous quarterbacks dating back to the 1960s with Don Meredith and today with Dak Prescott. This blog will be examining the five best quarterbacks in the history of the Cowboys.
Quarterbacks will be ranked by their statistics while they were with the Cowboys, as well as the team’s success under them.
5. Danny White
When Roger Staubach retired in 1980, there was a big hole to fill at the quarterback position and many Cowboys fans were unsure about the continued success of the team since their Super Bowl run in the 1970s. Backup quarterback, Danny White, helped fill Staubach’s shoes and lead the Cowboys to continued success in the early 1980s.
In seven years starting for the Dallas Cowboys, Danny White racked up 20,955 passing yards and 151 touchdowns with a 59.6% completion percentage. White also led the Cowboys to five straight playoff appearances with three straight NFC championship appearances between 1980 and 1982. White also made a Pro Bowl in 1982.
4. Dak Prescott
In the third preseason game of the 2016 NFL season, Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, broke his collarbone, sidelining him for the first 10 games of the season. With many Cowboys fans fearing another losing season like the 2015 NFL season when Romo was injured for most of the season.
All Cowboys fans were putting their faith in 4th round draft pick, Dak Prescott, to lead the Cowboys. Easy to say that Dak Prescott exceeded any expectations that season, leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the 1st seed in the NFC.
In six seasons as the starter for the Cowboys, Prescott has accumulated 22,083 passing yards with 143 passing touchdowns and a 66.6% completion percentage. Prescott has also made two Pro Bowls and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2016. Prescott has led the Cowboys to three playoff appearances as a starter, winning the NFC East each of those seasons.
3. Tony Romo
Since Troy Aikman retired after the 2000 season, the Dallas Cowboys struggled to find a consistent starting quarterback, starting nine different quarterbacks between the 2000 and 2006 seasons. In 2003, the Cowboys signed an undrafted quarterback out of Eastern Illinois named Tony Romo. By 2006, after sitting behind veteran Drew Bledsoe for the 2005 season, Romo had the chance to shine as the new starting quarterbacks for the Dallas Cowboys.
In 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Romo threw for 34,183 passing yards and 248 passing touchdowns, the franchise leader in both categories. Romo also had four Pro Bowl trips and four playoff appearances.
2. Troy Aikman
With the first pick in the 1988 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Troy Aikman out of UCLA, touted as the new Cowboys franchise quarterback to lead the team back to the Super Bowl. Even though there was a lot of pressure on Aikman to succeed, he would excel in his time as the Cowboys quarterback.
In 12 seasons with the Cowboys Aikman accrued 32,942 passing yards with 165 passing touchdowns and a 61.5% completion percentage. Aikman also led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships (1992,1993,1995) and earned six Pro Bowl appearances. Aikman is now in the NFL Hall of Fame.
1. Roger Staubach
Roger “The Dodger” Staubach or “Captain Comeback” is the greatest quarterback in Dallas Cowboys history. Not only for his play on the field, but for being the face of “America’s Team” and being a key figure in bringing the Cowboys to the national scene.
Coming out of Navy as a Heisman trophy winning quarterback, Staubach started out as a backup on the Dallas Cowboys, serving behind Don Meredith and Craig Morton. After a quarterback competition in 1971, Staubach earned the starting job and led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl win against the Miami Dolphins that same season.
In 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Staubach racked up 22,700 passing yards with 153 passing touchdowns and a 57% completion percentage. Staubach earned his spot in Canton in the NFL Hall of Fame and led the Cowboys to two Super Bowls (1971, 1977).
