Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman met with reporters in Dallas during an event in celebration of the city being labeled as the No. 1 sports business city by the the Sports Business Journal.

Naturally, when Aikman took questions, he was inevitable asked about the Cowboys’ recent playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers and the future of Dak Prescott, who will enter a contract year in 2024 and is facing criticism from fans and media alike after yet another bad postseason start. 

During the session, Aikman shared a strong opinion on Prescott that might lead to mixed reactions from Cowboys fans who are desperate for an NFC Championship Game appearance and obviously, a Super Bowl trip .

“I still believe in Dak,” Aikman told reporters via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Until you do it, there’s always those criticisms. And I know Peyton Manning went through that his first three years, he didn’t win a playoff game, and then you look back on it now and you can’t imagine that anybody questioned whether or not he could win a playoff game. (…)”

There are some obvious distinctions to be made between Manning and Prescott, which many will be quick to point out. He made the AFC Championship Game in 2003, his sixth year in the league. In Year 9, he won Super Bowl XLI. Prescott will enter his ninth season in the NFL in 2024 and has yet to make a conference championship. 

But Aikman’s point is a strong one. In each of those early playoff trips that Manning had, he had at least one game where he stunk it up. Heck, even in the postseason that led to his first ring, Manning had a passer rating of 39.6 after tossing two picks versus the Baltimore Ravens in a 15-6 win. It was his third playoff game with a passer rating below 40.

Prescott might not be seeking all-time greatness status like Manning and Aikman have. He just needs to take what he’s already done in the regular season and translate it into January. If there have been quarterbacks that have done it before, can we just assume he won’t be able to because of last Sunday’s game? 

Aikman argues not. However, the three-time Super Bowl champion also understands the pressure is at a new peak for Dak and the Cowboys. 

“The pressure gets higher as they go into this offseason and next season,” Aikman added. “Everyone talks about that proverbial window and how long it’s going to stay open, it’s hard in this league to keep it open. We just assume that because these key guys will be back that they’ll continue to play at a high level, win 12 games, and put themselves at that position. It doesn’t always work out that way.”

Few men understand the true pressure of being the quarterback of the Dallas football Cowboys. For a legend like Troy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind to say that about Prescott should encourage even the biggest doubters.