This debate seems to surface often on this forum. And probably for good reason: it's a fun argument. And let's face it, how many franchises can boast of not one, but two, HOF and multiple SB-winning QBs?
My avatar should give it away. Roger Staubach is the greatest QB in Dallas Cowboys history. I also stand by the argument that Aikman is no. 2, with all respect to Dandy Don, Danny White and Tony Romo.
Staubach only played 8 full seasons as a starter, due to his military commitment and injury. He took his team to the SB four teams - or 50% of the seasons he completed. Only Tom Brady can match that. If you look at each QB and compare his career QB rating to the average NFL QB ratings during his career, no QB has a higher point differential, in any decade, than Staubach.
He played heroically in two epic losses to one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. And in SB X, he did so without a running attack - especially in the 2nd half - to keep the Steelers honest. Staubach was sacked 7 times in SB X, and that he wasn't sacked more was a testimony to his greatness. Tom Brady managed 31 combined points in two SBs vs the NYG D. The G-men had a good pass rush in both of those SBs, but they didn't exactly have Joe Greene and the Steelers front seven, which featured three HOFers and several other Pro Bowlers (and a HOF corner in Mel Blount). How would Brady have fared vs that Pittsburgh pass rush in SB X? And without Lynn Swann making two spectacular catches and L.C. Greenwood's four sacks, Staubach has three SB wins under his belt.
In the rematch vs Pittsburgh in SB XIII, Staubach played his heart out. The Cowboys only weakness that year was at CB, and Bradshaw made them pay dearly. Of course, all the breaks went to Pittsburgh that day in the Orange Bowl. I'm not sure Joe Montana could have pulled that game out.
Staubach would probably be considered not only the Cowboys best QB but the GOAT had the Cowboys beaten the Steelers in those two contests. Roger led a team in transition with 12 rookies in 1975 to face Pittsburgh, and in 1978, Dallas fielded one of the best teams ever to not win the SB. It just wasn't meant to be. But neither Montana nor Brady faced defenses the likes of the 70s Steelers in any of their combined 13 SBs.
Too many Cowboys fans here disrespect Aikman - perhaps to justify placing Romo or even Prescott above him - but Troy was a great QB. Stronger arm than Roger and more accurate. He gets points taken away by some here for playing with great teams. Does Bradshaw lose any status for playing with four HOFers on offense and another four on defense? Bradshaw handed off to a HOFer, played behind one of the greatest centers of all time and threw the ball to two guys in Canton. Montana threw to the best WR in history, had perhaps the best offensive-minded coach in history, and played on some historically great teams, especially the 89 team, which I regard as one of the three greatest teams ever (92 Cowboys and 85 Bears; with 75/78 Steelers, 91 Skins and 77 Cowboys not that far behind).
Great QBs elevate the game of the players around them. Montana, Marino, Brady all did/do that. So did Roger and Troy.
Stats are not the be-all-and-end-all. And even more so when comparing guys like Roger who played 6 of 8 seasons under the pre-1978 rule changes. Receivers were getting mugged all the way through their routes in those days. OL could not extend their arms. DL used the head slap. And passing trees were much less complicated and there were less formations to work off (e.g., 4 WR and 5 WR sets).
I'm glad the Cowboys have had both no. 12 and no. 8. With a few breaks, both could have one 1 or 2 more SBs.
Maybe Dak will win multiple rings. As a fan, I hope so.
