As the Dallas Cowboys try to address their disappointing 3-3 start, which includes a crushing 47-9 defeat to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman openly criticized the performance of CeeDee Lamb and the team’s wide receivers.
During an appearance on 96.7 The Ticket’s The Musers on Thursday (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota), Aikman didn’t hold back, stating, “I think they run terrible routes” as part of a comprehensive analysis of the Cowboys’ receiving corps:
“I think the routes are terrible. I think they run terrible routes. And I’ve thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. 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, usually if they do, it’s because they’re anticipating they’re going to get the football on that play, but if they’re not, they don’t. And it all ties together. I’m not impressed with that part of it.
“I just finished watching the Baltimore Ravens because I have them this week. You put on film of theirs and watch their receivers run routes and they come off the football, so does San Francisco’s and Green Bay’s and others. But 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. And I’m not speaking for Dak (Prescott). Dak may say, ‘Hey, I think (their routes) are amazing.’ But as a former quarterback watching it, it’s gotta get a lot better.”
The Cowboys are facing widespread criticism across the board. The defense has fallen from the fifth-best unit in the league last season to No. 30 in 2024 in points allowed per game. At home, they are 0-3, having been outscored 119-53. Including their playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in January, the Cowboys have allowed at least 44 points in three of their last four home games.
On offense, the Cowboys haven’t exceeded 25 points in a game since their Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Dak Prescott, who signed a four-year, $240 million extension before the season, has thrown multiple interceptions in three of the first six games.
CeeDee Lamb, who became the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL this offseason with a four-year, $136 million extension, had a standout 2023 season with 135 receptions, 1,749 yards, and 12 touchdowns. However, his performance in 2024 has been underwhelming. While he has accumulated 467 yards, his success rate has dropped by 16 percentage points from last season, down to 47.3%. Lamb has yet to reach 100 yards in a game this season after hitting that mark eight times in 2023.
A key factor for Lamb’s struggles could be the lack of respect from opposing defenses toward the other receiving options. Jalen Tolbert, Prescott’s secondary target, has recorded 290 yards, setting a career high. Meanwhile, Brandin Cooks, who caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, has been largely absent, managing only 51 yards in the following three games before being placed on injured reserve in Week 5 due to a knee infection.
Here is the biggest reason why the #Cowboys are struggling:
LT Tyler Gutyon – 49.7 (71/78 OTs)
LG Tyler Smith – 75.5 (10/73 OGs)
C Cooper Beebe – 55.5 (29/35 Cs)
RG Zack Martin – 68.1 (24/73 OGs)
RT Terrence Steele – 63.7 (46/78 OTs)(grades via @PFF)
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 14, 2024
This year’s receiving corps is largely the same as last season, with the notable exception of Michael Gallup, who was released and retired during the offseason.
The biggest change has been the offensive line, which has struggled significantly this year. Head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have failed to adjust their scheme to accommodate the weaker protection, continuing to run the same system and putting more pressure on Prescott.
With no clear solutions in sight, the Cowboys need improvement across multiple areas—whether it’s Lamb and the receivers fixing their route running, Prescott taking better care of the ball, or the offensive line performing more consistently. Until these issues are addressed, the team’s playoff hopes remain uncertain.
