TT BREAKING NEWS: Legendary Troy Aikman Warns Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones After Disappointing 2025 Season: Moving Three Underperformers Could Free Over $25 Million in Cap Space
After reflecting on the Dallas Cowboys’ underwhelming 2025 campaign, Troy Aikman didn’t dwell on injuries, coaching decisions, or bad breaks. Instead, the Hall of Famer focused on what the season revealed about roster construction — and why decisive action is now required if the Cowboys want to rebuild and contend for a Super Bowl.
According to league sources familiar with Aikman’s thinking, the Cowboys legend delivered a clear message to owner and general manager Jerry Jones: the gap between mediocrity and success is no longer just about talent acquisition — it’s financial discipline and accountability.
Aikman believes Dallas can reclaim control of its future by cutting ties with three players who failed to deliver consistent value throughout a 7-9-1 season that ended with playoff elimination in December.
“If you want to turn this around and build a winner, you have to be willing to move on from players who didn’t perform up to expectations, even if the decision isn’t comfortable.”
The first name tied to that assessment is DeMarcus Lawrence. As a veteran defensive end and longtime anchor of the pass rush, Lawrence’s production dipped in 2025, with fewer sacks and pressures amid injuries and an aging profile.
His 2026 cap hit stands at around $23.5 million, with a dead cap of about $13 million if released post-June 1. Moving on could save Dallas roughly $10.5 million, and cap analysts have pegged him as a prime candidate for a cut or trade to free up resources for younger edge rushers.
The second case is more complex. Brandin Cooks, acquired to provide speed and experience at wide receiver, carries a sizable financial footprint after underwhelming output in 2025. His 2026 cap hit is approximately $13 million, with a dead cap of around $3 million if released. While a straight cut is feasible, Aikman is believed to view Cooks as a potential trade or release candidate — especially as the Cowboys need to redirect funds toward bolstering the receiving corps around CeeDee Lamb rather than veteran spending that didn’t yield results. This move could net about $10 million in savings.
The third and most straightforward move involves Terence Steele. The offensive tackle’s cap hit climbs to $14 million in 2026, yet his dead cap would sit at just $4-6 million if released post-June 1, depending on timing. That creates $8-10 million in immediate savings — an attractive option for a team looking to get younger and more reliable along the offensive line while maintaining flexibility to add difference-makers elsewhere, especially after Steele’s inconsistent pass protection contributed to late-season struggles.
Combined, those three decisions could open over $25-30 million in cap space — money that could be reinvested in protecting Dak Prescott through restructures (potentially creating another $31 million), expanding the offense, or reinforcing the defense around cornerstone players like Micah Parsons. To Aikman, this isn’t about blame; it’s about alignment.
The 2025 season, in his view, didn’t expose a lack of star power. It exposed the cost of inefficiency with overpaid or underperforming veterans. And in the NFL, as Aikman understands better than most, rebuilds don’t happen without hard decisions before the window closes entirely.
Matthew Stafford Retirement Decision Brings Strong Lions Critique
Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was with the team for more than a decade, from 2009 to 2020. During that time, he clocked solid numbers, becoming the Lions’ all-time leader in passing yards at 45,109 and touchdowns with 282, according to NFL research. He also had a 74-90-1 record.
So, even though Stafford’s main success came after joining the Los Angeles Rams and winning them a championship title, he is an important part of Detroit Lions history. Or, is he?
It’s worth noting that after the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks, Stafford was asked about retirement and didn’t give an answer either way. “I can’t generalize six months of my life 10 minutes after a loss,” Stafford told reporters, according to ESPN. “So I appreciate the guys in this locker room a whole hell of a lot. Everybody that helped me and helped our team be the success that we were this year. And that’s all I’ll answer for you.”
Well, in a feature published on Sunday, January 29, John Maakaron of SI makes the case that Stafford’s history with the Lions is really insignificant, and if he choses to retire, it shouldn’t have anything to do with his Detroit legacy. Do you agree?
NFL Analyst Blasts Matthew Stafford’s Time With the Detroit Lions
In the piece, Maakaron makes the case that Stafford’s time with the Lions “is just like the snowflakes falling on your windshield. Eventually, they will evaporate when the weather finally warms up, never to be remembered.” That hurts.
“When he eventually retires, he should not have his Lions jersey retired,” he adds, “no entry into the Pride of the Lions and no speeches at Ford Field during primetime games.”
Also after the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks, Stafford was asked how he’s able to perform well late i the season and take his team so far in the postseason.
“I appreciate that and I understand that. I think quarterback wins is an interesting stat,” he said. “It takes everybody. There are certain games where I don’t play up to par but we win the game or certain games where I feel like I played really well and we don’t win the game. It doesn’t always correlate with the quarterback.”
Stafford added, “Obviously, I want to play as good as I possibly can, but I would equate that to our head coach leading the way and our team playing good football at the right time.”
Should Matthew Stafford Be Remembered as a Detroit Lions Player?
So, should Stafford be remembered at all for his time with the Detroit Lions? Honestly, he’s a part of franchise history, no matter what. Even if it seems like forever ago that he was in Detroit, he has to be remembered, at least a little bit, for his time in the Motor City.
“In the end, Stafford had his career success outside of Detroit,” Maakaron added, “and should be simply remembered as a Rams quarterback who failed in Detroit.”
Well, it’s true that the Lions’ years with Stafford weren’t great. But, that’s in the past, and just like with any relationship, we can choose to remember the good over the bad.
