In Week 15, Troy Aikman voiced strong criticism of Mike McDaniel and his game management against the Steelers. Just weeks later, Aikman joined the Dolphins as a consultant, a situation that does not seem to bother McDaniel at all, despite the legend’s recent comments.

“No, that stuff doesn’t hit me,” McDaniel said on Aikman’s criticism, via a transcript distributed by the team. “When I signed up for this job, this just in and when things work, people will applaud. When they don’t work, they’ll have critiques. And if I expect anything else, that’s a level of entitlement that doesn’t really hit me correctly. It’s kind of the nature of the biz. So you’re telling me he didn’t like us not scoring points and taking up too much time? Neither did I, that was not the intent.

“He’s doing his job, and when I signed up for this job it was inherent that results will dictate all narratives regardless of if things were good, bad or whatever. It doesn’t bother me in the least. As a matter of fact, I think it would be funny if it did.”

Is Mike McDaniel going to be fired?

While McDaniel appears very confident about keeping his job with the Dolphins, the reality is that he is one of several head coaches who could be on the move once the 2025 NFL season comes to an end.

According to reports, McDaniel could leave the Dolphins this upcoming offseason. However, he would remain an attractive option for several franchises, including the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns.

In Cleveland’s case, a ripple effect would be required for McDaniel to land with the AFC North team. If Kevin Stefanski were to leave, with the Giants also emerging as a top destination, the Browns would need a new head coach, and McDaniel’s offensive mind is reportedly viewed as highly appealing by the front office.

Before kickoff, ESPN broadcaster and former Cowboys quarterback Aikman reflected on what the team once meant to the league. “It’s been a while since the Giants have been a good team. The NFC East is better when all 4 teams are good. The NFL is better when the Giants are a good team, so hopefully they get back to that.”

The franchise has unraveled fast, going from a 2022 playoff run under Brian Daboll to firing him on Nov. 10 after a 2–8 start. Interim coach Mike Kafka is now 0–3. As Aikman hinted, the Giants’ decline feels bigger than one bad year, it’s the absence of a team the league once relied on for relevance, identity, and big-stage moments.

The 2024 season could repeat itself for the Giants

It’s worth remembering that the Giants finished the 2024 NFL season with a brutal 3–14 record, one of their worst in the last 20 years, and 2025 is shaping up to be just as bad, if not worse. With four regular-season games still remaining against the Commanders, Vikings, Raiders, and Cowboys, New York isn’t exactly facing a soft landing.

One of the Giants’ recurring problems, both this year and in past seasons, has been the trenches. Their offensive and defensive lines continue to struggle. According to Pro Football Reference, the Giants currently rank as the 21st-worst offense this season, while their defensive line sits at 30th out of 32 teams. In 2024, the situation with both lines was virtually the same.

Aikman also addressed the Jaxson Dart situation

Recently, Jaxson Dart took a hard shot from a Patriots linebacker, a hit the young quarterback spoke about after the Giants-Patriots game. But Aikman is deeply concerned about how exposed Dart has been. “When I watch him, and this is going back, he reminds me so much of Jim McMahon. The way in which he plays. He just rallies the team… I’m worried about him… He just has to be able to protect himself a little better than he has…”

For many fans, the Cowboys have been one of the biggest letdowns in recent memory. Despite boasting a star-studded roster, the team has consistently failed to live up to the front office’s expectations.

Dak Prescott is currently under heavy scrutiny for his inability to lead the Cowboys to postseason success. However, a legendary figure in franchise history believes that this narrative could change very soon.

Cowboys legend Troy Aikman makes bold prediction for 2025 season

In recent years, Jerry Jones has worked tirelessly to build a championship-caliber roster in Dallas. The owner and general manager has brought in big names, but the Cowboys haven’t reached the Super Bowl in nearly three decades.

Star players such as Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons are among the league’s most talented. Unfortunately, the team has failed to translate individual talent into collective dominance, falling short of the lofty goals set by the organization.

As the starting quarterback, Prescott is often viewed as the face of the team’s postseason shortcomings. Despite being the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, he currently holds a 2-5 playoff record, leaving many to question his leadership and ability to win on the big stage.

Amid this growing skepticism, Cowboys legend Troy Aikman has delivered a bold take: he believes Dallas will win the Super Bowl in the 2025 season. The former quarterback picked the NFC East club to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy, but hesitated to bet on it.

“Cowboys! C’mon,” Aikman said while clapping during The Morning Show. However, no one around him shared his enthusiasm — even former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan told him he knew it wasn’t going to happen.

Could the Cowboys move on from Dak Prescott in 2026?

Although the Cowboys recently extended Dak Prescott’s contract, making him the highest-paid quarterback in the league, his long-term future in Dallas remains uncertain.

This offseason, rumors emerged suggesting the team was open to trade offers for Prescott. If he underperforms again in 2025, it’s possible that the Cowboys could move on from their star quarterback as early as 2026.

The quarterback position is undoubtedly one of the most important roles within a football team, and many players throughout history have stood out both during their time in college and once they made the leap to the world’s most prestigious league.

However, and although it may seem surprising, there aren’t many cases where the same quarterback has managed to win both the National Championship in the NCAA and the Super Bowl in the NFL. Here, we take a look back at the players who achieved this remarkable feat, as well as some interesting details surrounding these accomplishments.

Which quarterbacks won an NCAA National Championship and Super Bowl?

In the 1960s, there was one name that defined an era in the sport. The talented Joe Namath, one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, was the first QB to achieve the remarkable feat of winning both a Super Bowl title and a National Championship.

In 1964, Namath led his Alabama Crimson Tide to a strong 10-1 record, becoming SEC Champions. Despite losing to Texas in the Orange Bowl, Alabama was recognized as National champions by both the AP and UPI prior to that loss.

Chosen by the New York Jets in 1965, Namath slowly began to take control of the team. The pinnacle of his career came in January 1969, when the quarterback led his team to a Super Bowl III victory, defeating the Baltimore Colts 16-7. That was the first time an AFL team had beaten an NFL team in the Super Bowl.

In addition to securing that epic title for his team, Joe Namath was named the MVP of Super Bowl III.

Joe Montana, the second QB to win both a National Championship and a Super Bowl title

Representing Notre Dame, Joe Montana began his successful American football career by winning the National Championship in the NCAA in 1977. At that time, the Fighting Irish won the title by defeating the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic with a score of 38–10.

From that moment on, Montana’s name began to gain more and more recognition in the sport. In the 1979 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected him at the end of the third round with the 82nd overall pick.

It was in the Bay Area where the QB made history in the NFL, winning four Super Bowl titles in editions XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. Additionally, in three of those four victories, Montana was named Super Bowl MVP.

Tom Brady’s case: From underdog to NFL legend

In this review of quarterbacks who have won both an NCAA Championship Title and a Super Bowl, both Namath and Montana have proven themselves as outstanding starting QBs for their teams.

Tom Brady‘s case is perhaps a bit different, although he too achieved both titles. In the 1997 season, while wearing the colors of the Michigan Wolverines, Brady served as a backup to Brian Griese. That season, Michigan went undefeated and claimed the NCAA Championship.

His arrival in the NFL is now a well-known story. Alongside Bill Belichick, Tom Brady built a dynasty with the New England Patriots, six Super Bowl titles and marking an era in the league. His latest great achievement? Lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy once again outside New England, this time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On the other hand, Brian Griese’s case is the opposite of Brady’s. Griese was the starting QB for the Michigan Wolverines in 1997, leading them to the NCAA Championship. However, during his NFL career, he won a Super Bowl as a backup. In that Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos triumphed over the Falcons with a 34-19 victory, and the starting QB for that team was the veteran John Elway.

Ken Stabler, another privileged QB to win both a National Championship and a Super Bowl

Ken Stabler is another of the privileged few to have achieved both a National Championship and a Super Bowl title. Stabler led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 1965, securing the title with a strong season performance.

Later, in the NFL, Stabler made his mark with the Oakland Raiders. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory in 1977, winning Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings with a 32-14 score. Stabler’s leadership and clutch performances earned him a place as one of the NFL’s great quarterbacks.

Jalen Hurts, the most recent QB to win both a National Championship and a Super Bowl

Jalen Hurts has etched his name in the annals of football history. In Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, securing his first NFL title.

Before his NFL success, Hurts made his mark in college football. During the 2017 NCAA season, he led Alabama to a National Championship game against nGeorgia. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Hurts was benched at halftime for Tua Tagovailoa after the Bulldogs took a 13-0 lead. Tagovailoa stepped in and guided the Crimson Tide to a thrilling 26-23 victory, clinching the championship.

The curious case of Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman is another quarterback who could be categorized as having succeeded both in the National Championship and the Super Bowl. Aikman won three Vince Lombardy Trophies with the Dallas Cowboys, but his college career tells a different story. He was the starting QB for the Oklahoma Sooners in 1985, but an injury sidelined him before the team could compete for the National Championship that season.

After being selected with the first overall pick in the first round by the Cowboys, Aikman gradually became an emblem of the franchise. The talented quarterback went on to win three Super Bowl titles, in editions XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.

During his time with the Sooners, the QB suffered a serious ankle injury, which forced him to miss that historic season in which his teammates ultimately went on to win the championship.

Aikman directly criticized the penalty that benefited the Chiefs, pointing out that Mahomes was a runner and no longer had the special protection given to quarterbacks. “Oh, come on. I mean he’s a runner and I could not disagree with that one more.” He also mentioned that the replay clearly showed the hit wasn’t significant, saying, “He barely gets hit.”

That wasn’t the only controversial penalty in the game, which the Chiefs eventually won. In the first quarter, Texans defender Will Anderson Jr. came at Mahomes with his arms wide open and was flagged for a ‘high hit.’

In addition to Troy Aikman, Russell Yurk also made a fiery comment about the third-quarter penalty, saying, “The two Houston players hit each other. That should not have been a foul.” The replay clearly shows both players colliding with each other and barely making contact with Mahomes.

Troy Aikman calls for a review of the rules

One statement that could be seen as a message to the NFL came from Aikman when he said, “They’ve gotta address it in the offseason…” Although he didn’t directly refer to a specific rule, it seems he was pointing to the special protection that quarterbacks receive from referees.

The Chiefs’ defensive line stood out

A notable aspect of the Chiefs’ performance was their protection of Mahomes on the offensive line. He was sacked just three times for a loss of only 15 yards—an important factor that allows him to play his game effectively, both in and out of the pocket.

During his work with ESPN, Aikman dropped a comment that could be a bombshell straight at the Cowboys’ problem, saying it’s highly unlikely that multiple candidates are lining up to take the job with the franchise: “I wish them well but to say that it’s a coveted job I’m not sure I would necessarily agree with that.”

Aikman, who still holds a deep connection with the team that gave him three Super Bowls, said, “I love the Dallas Cowboys.” He also reminisced about his over a decade-long NFL career with the franchise, where he earned multiple accolades, including six Pro Bowl selections.

The departure of Mike McCarthy surprised him: “I thought McCarthy was going to be the head coach; it was a surprise to me that he won’t be.” Despite that, Aikman expressed support for Kellen Moore as the most logical choice for the position.

When Did Aikman Win Super Bowls with the Cowboys?

Troy Aikman won three Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys during the 1990s. The first two came in a back-to-back run from 1992 to 1993, with the first of those seasons marking one of his best as a quarterback, throwing for 3,445 yards. The third came in 1995, and like the others, the Cowboys didn’t have to go through the Wild Card round.

The Best of the 21st Century for the Franchise

Aikman was the last quarterback to bring a Super Bowl victory to the Cowboys. His 1995 ring remains the most recent championship won by the franchise. Since then, they haven’t returned to the Super Bowl, with their closest approach in the 21st century coming in the 2022 Divisional Playoffs. In 2023, they were only able to make it as far as the Wild Card round.

A few years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs made a franchise-altering decision. The AFC West team selected Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, unaware of just how transformative the quarterback would become for their organization.

In seven seasons, the former Texas Tech standout has already secured three Super Bowl titles. While many consider him the best quarterback in the league, some, including Troy Aikman, have a different opinion.

Troy Aikman names his favorite current NFL quarterback, and it’s not Patrick Mahomes

When the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes, few could have predicted he would evolve into one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. With three Vince Lombardi trophies to his name, Mahomes is on track to add even more accolades in the coming years.

Mahomes has revolutionized the Chiefs’ fortunes and solidified their status as perennial contenders. Despite his undeniable talent, not everyone considers him the best, including legendary figures like Troy Aikman.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, a three-time Super Bowl champion himself, is no stranger to recognizing greatness. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, Aikman’s insights into the quarterback position carry significant weight.

Recently, Aikman not only named his favorite current NFL quarterback but also shared who might be his favorite player of all time. Surprisingly, the Cowboys legend did not choose Patrick Mahomes, instead opting for another AFC standout: Joe Burrow.

“He (Joe Burrow), without question, is my favorite quarterback in the NFL,” Aikman told 105.3 The Fan, via The Athletic. “Maybe my favorite player of all-time, for that matter. … I just love everything about him, especially in today’s NFL where you just don’t see these types of players. He’s an old-school quarterback. He could’ve played in the ’90s. … I don’t know if he’s the best quarterback in the game today; obviously you’ve got Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, but [Burrow] throws with anticipation better than anybody currently playing the game.”

Has any NFL team achieved a three-peat?

While Aikman may favor Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes has the chance to accomplish something no player in NFL history has managed. The Chiefs’ star quarterback is vying for another Super Bowl title, a feat that would set unprecedented records.

The Chiefs are currently back-to-back champions and aiming for a historic three-peat. No team has ever won the Super Bowl three consecutive times, and achieving this milestone would undoubtedly bolster Patrick Mahomes’ case as the greatest of all time.

The Cowboys steamrolled past their opposition in the regular season, at least for the most part. They struggled to beat winning teams — again, and Dak Prescott crumbled under pressure when it mattered the most.

The team will maintain status quo for the upcoming campaign, keeping head coach Mike McCarthy and most likely signing Prescott to an extension. Needless to say, that’s far from encouraging for the fan base.

Nonetheless, as painful as the loss was and as fair as the doubts and criticism might be, Cowboys and NFL legend Troy Aikman still has faith in the ever-struggling quarterback.

Troy Aikman Talks About Dak Prescott

“I do know that we all draw on our past experiences,” Aikman said. “And when we don’t have great experiences, those then become hard to overcome. And I think that’s the challenge for Dak, because the question for him and really for the team isn’t so much what happens in the regular season now, it’s: How are they going to play? And how is he going to play once you get into the postseason? That makes for a long year when that’s the way it works.”

Aikman also knows what it’s like to fall short of expectations, and he knows playing for the Dallas Cowboys comes with an additional burden. Nonetheless, he still thinks Dak can get the job done.

“I’ve been there as well, as far as when the expectations are that high. But I still believe in Dak,” he continued. “I think that until you do it, there’s always those criticisms. The pressure gets higher, for sure, as they go into this offseason and then next season, but it makes it hard. It makes it hard to come back and put themselves in a position to do it all over again. Hopefully they have more opportunities ahead of them.”

Prescott isn’t made for big moments, and neither is Mike McCarthy. Then again, this is Jerry Jones’ team, and things won’t change for as long as he continues to be the only one calling all the shots.

Back in 2001, Drew Bledsoe’s injury gave Tom Brady the opportunity to start his NFL career. He entered the league as the 199th overall pick in the 2000 Draft, so there weren’t too many expectations regarding what he could achieve.

However, Brady silenced all his doubters by becoming the most successful player the league has ever seen. He managed to win seven Super Bowls: six with the New England Patriots and one more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Definitely a living legend that will be remembered forever.

Troy Aikman nearly joined Tom Brady’s AFC East rivals in 2003

Troy Aikman could have prevented Tom Brady from winning his second Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys legend has confessed that he nearly came out of retirement to play for the Miami Dolphins, rivals of the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

“I had a chance initially and I was gonna do it quite honestly,” Aikman told Schefter, as transcribed by Awful Announcing, about unretiring. “I was gonna come back and the Dolphins were looking at me. Dave Wannstedt was the head coach. Norv Turner was the offensive coordinator. I had trained that offseason, prepared to come back and play. And they felt like they were a quarterback away from achieving what they wanted to do.

“So, I was gonna do it. I thought, ‘Well, I’ll give it a shot.’ Rick Spielman was the [senior vice president of football operations] and he ultimately was the one, I believe, that decided not to sign me, which was probably a good thing from their perspective. And it was a great thing from my perspective because they weren’t a quarterback away. … They were not very good. It all worked out just fine.”

That season, the Dolphins finished with a 10-6 record, while the Patriots won 14 games and lost only two. Could Aikman’s arrival have prevented Brady from winning the division title and then Super Bowl XXXVIII? We’ll never know.

How many Super Bowls did Troy Aikman win?

Troy Aikman played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 2000, winning three Super Bowls with the NFC East team (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX).

The future is still a bit uncertain for Tom Brady after his retirement from football. Not because he doesn’t have many options, but for exactly the opposite. He has been linked to multiple potential jobs that he wants to do.

His broadcasting career seems to be a lock after signing a huge contract with Fox a while ago. However, there are some doubts regarding his effective start in that activity. If all goes according to what’s expected, the 2024 season should be the date.

Brady has recently been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders too. The former quarterback reached an agreement with Mark Davis to be a minority owner, something that sparked a lot of opinions. An interesting comment was made by historic Cowboys signal-caller Troy Aikman.

Troy Aikman thinks Tom Brady could play for the Raiders

There are some filters that Brady must go through before being a part owner of the Raiders officially. That’s nothing else than receiving the approval of the league. The other franchises might want some reassurance that he is not coming back to play for his new team, but that is uncertain. Aikman is among those people who think that Brady could actually play for Las Vegas.

“Maybe he would be involved to the point where he’s actually suiting up. I don’t wanna speak for Tom, but I wouldn’t rule anything out. He obviously has a relationship with the head coach, he knows the offense, he’ll keep himself in great shape. I would bet that nothing’s off the table, as far as what may occur during the season, or what Tom’s role may be. I think he’s done playing, but you just never know”, the Hall of Famer said in an interview with TMZ Sports.

Mike McCarthy’s team has looked pretty solid through the first three weeks of the season. They put the reigning champions against the wall and barely beat them, then won vs. the Chargers and destroyed a divisional foe in the Eagles.

But, besides the schedule and the results, it’s the way they’re playing that encourages fans and the media alike. And, according to Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, there’s just one way you could take them down right now.

Troy Aikman Explains What Makes The Cowboys A Legit Threat This Season

(Transcript via USA Today)

“If you’re an inferior team–and I think a lot of teams who are going to come and play Dallas are going to be inferior to them–then the best way in order to get into the fourth quarter with a chance to win, which is all you’re hoping for, you want to minimize the offensive snaps,” Aikman said.

“The more snaps they have, the better chance they have of blowing you out and scoring points. To do that, you have to shorten the game. You try to shorten the game by controlling the clock on your side of the ball, but also not giving up big plays.”

“So I would play coverage. I would try to keep them from making big plays in the passing game and then make them just commit through the game of running the ball. Can you stop them? You get them to third down and you make a play, a dropped pass, a DB makes a play, then they’re punting. That’s the way that I would do it. I would not come up and try to stop the run and be over-committed to that and Ezekiel Elliott and [Tony] Pollard–and I like what he’s done too–and then allow CeeDee Lamb and the rest of them to run through your secondary. I think that’s a recipe for getting blown out.”

Aikman is completely right. The Cowboys finally understood that they need to keep their defense off the field as often as possible. They’ve found balance in the offense and drain the clock with their long, yet efficient series. Maybe, they’re for real this time.