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Troy Aikman weighs in on Dak Prescott's Super Bowl hopes, warns Cowboys about NFC rivals

The Cowboys legend believes Dallas can compete but warns that Philadelphia and Washington are improving fast.

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman watches Jackson...
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy AikmanRogelio V. SolisAP Photo

Dak Prescott has made it clear, he believes the Dallas Cowboys are just as good as the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his comments have sparked controversy, with fans questioning whether Dallas is truly ready to contend for a Super Bowl. Now, franchise legend Troy Aikman has stepped in to provide some clarity on the situation.

Speaking on the February 15 episode of Law Nation Sports, Aikman defended Prescott's statement, explaining that the quarterback's words may have been taken out of context. "I was with Dak when he made those comments. It's a crazy world right now. You say something, and the next thing you know, it's on social media and it's kind of mischaracterized. It's not what was intended or what exactly was said," Aikman explained.

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While Aikman defended Prescott, the reality remains that the Cowboys have struggled to make deep playoff runs. Despite being drafted in 2016, Prescott has yet to lead Dallas past the divisional round. The team has not reached the NFC Championship Game since Aikman's era in 1995, when they won their last Super Bowl.

A warning about NFC East competition

Aikman didn't just address Prescott's comments-he also issued a warning about the growing competition in the NFC East. "Philadelphia, it's not like they're going to stay put. Washington, now they've got their quarterback in place, stands to reason that they're going to continue to be better and bolster that roster as well. It's an uphill climb for Dallas with some of the changes, but I don't think for a second that they won't be able to compete in the NFC East. But I also think these other two teams are going to be better as well," Aikman said.

The Eagles, under GM Howie Roseman, have been aggressive in building a competitive roster, while the Washington Commanders have made significant moves, including hiring former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach. Even with a rookie quarterback, Washington showed promise last season, adding more pressure to Dallas.

Meanwhile, the New York Giants remain a question mark, having struggled last season. However, rumors suggest that Aaron Rodgers could land in New York after his release from the Jets, which could shake up the division even further.

For Prescott and the Cowboys, the road to a Super Bowl won't be easy. Aikman believes they can compete, but with their rivals getting stronger, Dallas will need to prove that it can rise to the challenge.

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