Fansided

Every NFL team’s most overrated player of all time

By Jarrett Bailey

22 Oct 2000: Quarterback Steve Beuerlein #7 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 34-16.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport
22 Oct 2000: Quarterback Steve Beuerlein #7 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 34-16.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JANUARY 2: Troy Aikman #2 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against the New York Giants during an NFL football game January 2, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Aikman played for the Cowboys from 1989-2000. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JANUARY 2: Troy Aikman #2 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against the New York Giants during an NFL football game January 2, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Aikman played for the Cowboys from 1989-2000. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys: Troy Aikman

Alright, this is certain to rub some people the wrong way. The Cowboys won a lot with Aikman at quarterback. He led Dallas to three Super Bowl championships in four seasons in the 1990s. That said, Aikman never put up gaudy numbers.

Throughout his entire career, he threw 20 touchdowns in a season just once. Compared to the other top quarterbacks of Aikman’s era, his numbers don’t come close to comparing with Brett Favre, Steve Young, or Dan Marino.

The Cowboys relied more on the run game with Emmitt Smith to carry the load offensively. There’s a reason Smith became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher- he was the engine that kept the Dallas offense running. Defensively, the Cowboys were extremely solid, as well.

This isn’t to take away from anything Aikman accomplished. The Cowboys won with him, but there were more talented quarterbacks in team history. Tony Romo threw for almost 100 more touchdowns, and also threw fewer interceptions. This isn’t comparing quarterbacks from incredibly different eras- Aikman retired after the 2000 season and Romo’s first season on the Cowboys roster was 2004. Romo put up considerably better numbers during his time with Dallas.

Aikman was a good quarterback, and he deserves a spot in Canton based on his accomplishments. That said, he gets overrated in the eyes of fans who only look at team success.

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