Troy Aikman rips 'lazy' Cowboys WRs: 'They run terrible routes'

Two days after Dallas Cowboys general manager and owner Jerry Jones made waves for his comments on a Dallas radio station , Troy Aikman did the same.

However, unlike Jones, Aikman's comments weren't critical of the media covering the Cowboys . Instead, the former Dallas quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer ripped the Cowboys ' wide receivers for their effort during the first six weeks of the 2024 NFL season.

Aikman outlined that he was unimpressed with Dallas' route-running and called upon the team's star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb , to improve his skills.

"I think the routes are terrible," Aikman opined, as transcribed by The Athletic's Jon Machota . "I think they run terrible routes. And I've thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee has got to improve in his route running."

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Aikman detailed that precise route-running makes life easier for the quarterback. Why? It enables the signal-caller to better assess which players will be open on the play and allows them to throw with anticipation.

The 57-year-old also decried Dallas' receivers for only putting maximum effort on releases during which they expected to get the ball.

"I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage," Aikman said. "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."

Aikman lauded other teams across the NFL - including the Baltimore Ravens , San Francisco 49ers , and Green Bay Packers - for the work they put in. He believes that is part of the reason that Lamar Jackson , Brock Purdy , and Jordan Love have gotten off to strong starts in 2024.

"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," Aikman said.

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Aikman hopes that Dak Prescott can get similar support as the season progresses . He also wanted to clarify that Dallas' long-term quarterback may have a different opinion than he does about the routes of Lamb and Co.

"I'm not speaking for Dak," Aikman said. "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 on a bye in Week 7, but expect the receivers, especially Lamb, to come out in Week 8 against the 49ers with something to prove after Aikman's comments.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Troy Aikman rips 'lazy' Cowboys WRs: 'They run terrible routes'