Best Dallas Cowboys Quarterbacks of All Time

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. The number of Hall of Fame players who wore only a Cowboys jersey is astonishing. Texas loves football, and after the Houston Oilers left town, Texas residents flocked to the fandom of the Cowboys.

With so many great players, it can be hard to judge which position players are the best in history. The quarterbacks on this list had sustained success at the highest of levels for the Cowboys. Not all won a Super Bowl, but did keep Dallas in talks of making the Super Bowl for extended periods of time.

#5. Danny White

Danny White is unlike others on this list besides Tony Romo as it was debatable out of high school of which sport he would play. White thrived in baseball as well as football as he played both in college. White attended Arizona State University signed with the Cowboys in 1976 as Dallas took a chance.

White was quite the athlete as he could play both punter and quarterback. The talent to handle the duties of both positions shows how athletic Danny White truly was. The starting quarterback position fell into the lap of White when Staubach retired.

Danny White would have a larger place in Cowboys lore had he made the Super Bowl by beating Joe Montana. White quarterbacked the team that lost to “The Catch” which will live in the heads of NFL fans forever. White had over 21,000 passing yards, putting him at fourth on the all-time list.

Dallas Cowboys fans are as passionate as ever and want to see Dak Prescott return them to Super Bowl glory. The quarterback is turning into an even more vital position than ever before. Hopefully, Prescott can deliver a Super Bowl win soon.

Key Statistics

• Completions: 1967
• Passing Yards: 21,959
• Passing Touchdowns: 153 (8 rushing touchdowns)

#4. Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott took over a team that made the NFC Championship team led by Tony Romo. A preseason injury derailed Romo’s chances to open the season as a starter. Dak was nothing short of incredible as he led the Cowboys to the playoffs. The pressure seemed to push Dak, but Romo’s maturity should also be noted, as he stated numerous times that season.

Dak has been renowned for taking care of the ball with low interception numbers. The ability to run as a larger quarterback makes him a threat while rolling out to the flat. Prescott could actually break Roger Staubach’s QB franchise rushing record. All of this for a 4th round draft pick is amazing, especially when the pressure to win is so high as it is when you are the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys.

Prescott signed the largest contract in Dallas history and one of the largest ever in NFL history. Quarterbacks of past generations are envious of what the position and NFL as a whole is paying players. Living up to the millions per game Prescott is earning presents a bit of a challenge. Right now, the Cowboys are in a “All or nothing” Super Bowl quest with Dak at the helm.

Key Statistics

• Completions: 2518
• Passing Yards: 28,582
• Passing Touchdowns: 194 (28 total rushing touchdowns)

#3. Tony Romo

Tony Romo was an unknown quarterback when drafted by the Cowboys. Many fans loved Romo while others seemed to dislike his propensity to fumble. Tony now has a great career in broadcasting, thriving and making a new name for himself.

Romo had a preseason injury that allowed Dak Prescott to take the reigns of the team. The crucial aspect of this is Romo mentored the young quarterback instead of demanding to be made the starter after his recovery. The selfless way that Romo handled this situation should not be lost on Cowboys fans. Certain quarterbacks have not taken the high road as mentoring another while they are in your starting position takes checking your ego at the door.

A call that lingers in the minds of Cowboy fans is that of the Dez Bryant catch that was ruled an incomplete pass. Romo could have led Dallas to its first Super Bowl appearance since the 1990s, headed by Aikman. Not bad for a rookie free agent from Eastern Illinois that could have played multiple sports in college including basketball and golf.

Key Statistics

• Completions: 2829
• Passing Yards: 34,183
• Passing Touchdowns: 248 (5 rushing touchdowns total)

#2. Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach had the privilege of quarterbacking under legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Staubach or “Captain America” graduated from the Naval Academy and subsequently spent 5 years in the Navy. Analysts suspect Roger would have won more than his two impressive Super Bowls with an extended playing career.

Staubach won the 1963 Heisman Trophy and spent 11 seasons with the Cowboys. During this time, he racked up over 22,000 passing yards and 150 touchdowns. The pass was not as prevalent as it is today, so these numbers are even more staggering. A claim to fame is throwing what is thought to be the first Hail Mary pass which Drew Pearson caught.

Key Statistics

• Completions: 1685
• Passing Yards: 22,700
• Passing Touchdowns: 153 (20 total rushing)

#1. Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman’s draft with the #1 pick was one of Jerry Jones’ first moves as owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones trusted the process as Aikman was winless in his first 11 starts. The team only won one game during his rookie campaign. The next season followed with a 7-9 record only to be surpassed in his 3rd season with an 11-5 record.

Turning around a struggling franchise as a young quarterback is quite a bit of pressure. The pressure multiplies with a fanbase in Dallas that expects a certain quality of performance year after year. Aikman paired up with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin to create one of the best offensive trios in history.

Troy won 3 Super Bowls and even broke accuracy records during NFL Pro Bowl Quarterback competitions. Injuries and especially concussions, put an end to the QB’s illustrious career. Cowboy fans will always think fondly of the years when Aikman was completely healthy. Aikman won at all levels including college where he had a career that was great enough to be taken with the first draft pick in 1989. The pick set the Cowboys up for the best decade in franchise history.

Key Statistics

• Completions: 2,898
• Total Passing Yards: 32,942
• Passing Touchdowns: 165 (9 total rushing)

FAQ’s

How was this list created?

We compiled the best and winningest Cowboy quarterbacks using stats from NFL.com. Any quarterback who won a Super Bowl almost automatically makes the list. Stats along with the impact on the franchise are also considered.

How has the position of NFL quarterback changed?

Playing quarterback has changed as the ability to run has become more valuable. The NFL has shifted to a pass-heavy league as rushing dominated the game for decades. Dak Prescott is the perfect example of a QB who can run when needed but still throws accurately.

How much are NFL quarterbacks paid?

The average quarterback is paid nearly $5.8 million annually. Top earned can earn up to $40 million per year or more. The most common salary for NFL quarterbacks is $1.1 million.

Is Tony Romo Working As A Commentator?

Tony Romo currently works for CBS and has announced massive games, including the Super Bowl. Romo is a beloved quarterback that showed signs of greatness only possibly to be eclipsed by how informative he is when calling a game.

How many Super Bowls have the Dallas Cowboys won?

The Dallas Cowboys have won 5 Super Bowls overall.