FRISCO – Recently, we spoke with Troy Aikman, the legendary former Cowboys quarterback, about the current state of a Dallas Cowboys franchise he still holds close to his heart.

Aikman, a revered figure in North Texas and a prominent voice in NFL broadcasting, remains synonymous with the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl titles. And though he provides objective analysis on “Monday Night Football,” his Cowboy loyalty still shines through.

What did the Hall of Famer share with CowboysCountry.com? He offered his thoughts on the team, specifically endorsing head coach Mike McCarthy and making it clear who isn’t to blame for the season’s struggles.

During the Ravens’ recent win over the Chargers on “MNF,” Aikman reiterated his stance, echoing sentiments he shared with us. “Mike McCarthy,” Aikman said, “is a hell of a football coach.”

This isn’t necessarily a six-word plea for McCarthy to remain in charge next season, even as Dallas ended a five-game losing streak with a 34-26 win over the Commanders at Northwest Stadium.

However, Aikman expanded on this during Dallas’ “MNF” loss to the Texans, elaborating on his perspective. “Mike McCarthy’s a good football coach,” he said. “He’s proven it in Green Bay and here. Winning 12 games three years straight is no small feat. But he didn’t get an extension after that, and it’s hard to see him getting one now.”

With the win, Dallas is 4-7, still facing an uphill battle to make an improbable playoff push. The margin for error is razor-thin.

McCarthy, pleased with the win, recognizes the challenges ahead. “If you’re looking for urgency, we’ve certainly had it this last month,” he said. “I’m just thankful for the players and their hard work paying off. But we’re still deep in the valley of adversity.”

That phrase, “The Valley of Adversity,” has become McCarthy’s rallying cry, aptly describing Dallas’ current position.

He added, “We’ve taken a step in the right direction, but there’s still a lot to climb. It’s great to have some momentum, but Thursday’s game comes so fast. That’s where my focus is now.”

After weeks of struggles, Dallas has finally seen a glimmer of hope. But in the NFL, momentum is fleeting. A loss to the Giants on Thanksgiving could erase their progress.

As the Cowboys navigate their “Valley of Adversity,” their ultimate goal remains distant. The path ahead is filled with challenges, starting with the Giants.

For now, as Aikman sees it, McCarthy is the right person to lead them forward, at least for the moment.