The Dallas Cowboys have made a bold move ahead of their final preseason game, parting ways with backup quarterback Joe Milton III, the 6-foot-5, 246-pound phenom whose raw talent captivated fans but failed to translate into consistent performance. With the regular season looming, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has turned to a seasoned veteran with a storied college career to bolster the team’s quarterback depth behind starter Dak Prescott.
Joe Milton III, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick acquired by the Cowboys in an April trade from the New England Patriots, entered the NFL with sky-high expectations. His cannon-like arm and extraordinary athleticism made him a viral sensation, with highlight-reel throws that seemed to defy physics. At 25 years old, Milton’s physical tools were undeniable, but his struggles with the finer points of quarterbacking—dubbed by critics as “The Joe Milton Experience”—proved to be his undoing.
In two preseason starts, Milton led 17 drives, producing just one touchdown, four field goals, two interceptions, and a costly sack that resulted in a safety. Despite Schottenheimer’s public support, stating he was “not concerned” about Milton’s development, the numbers told a different story. With Dak Prescott, the NFL’s highest-paid player at $240 million over four years, recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury, the Cowboys could ill afford uncertainty at the backup quarterback position.
The Cowboys’ decision to move on from Milton—and potentially journeyman Will Grier, who hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2019—comes on the heels of an intriguing development in the NFC. The Chicago Bears recently signed their backup quarterback, Tyson Bagent, to a two-year, $10 million extension, leaving their other backup, 37-year-old veteran Case Keenum, as a likely roster cut.
Keenum, an undrafted free agent from 2012, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. During his 11-year career, he has thrown 79 touchdowns against 51 interceptions, boasting an 84.6 passer rating across 80 games, including 66 starts. His standout moment came in 2017 when he led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game, completing 325 of 481 passes for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Keenum’s college career at the University of Houston was equally remarkable. From 2007 to 2011, he set NCAA records that still stand, including 155 touchdown passes and 19,217 passing yards over 57 games. His ability to efficiently run an offense, even at age 37, makes him a significant upgrade over Milton and Grier, especially if Prescott’s recovery hits any snags.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons in their final preseason game at AT&T Stadium, the decision to pursue Keenum signals a shift toward reliability over potential. “If the front office wants to try to keep winning without Prescott,” wrote Jerry Trotta of The Landry Hat, “they should monitor Keenum leading up to cutdown day.” With Milton now off the roster and Grier’s role uncertain, Keenum’s experience could provide the stability Dallas needs to remain competitive.