The Dallas Cowboys, famously dubbed “America’s Team,” are staring down a pivotal season that could define the franchise’s future. With sky-high expectations and a fanbase hungry for success, the pressure is on for new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to steer the team back to NFL glory. However, after a disheartening 31-13 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on August 16, 2025, a glaring issue emerged that could haunt the Cowboys’ aspirations: their backup quarterback situation.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, the cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense, missed significant time last season due to injury, forcing the team to lean on backup quarterbacks who are no longer with the organization. This offseason, Dallas made a bold move, trading for Joe Milton to serve as Prescott’s understudy, with Will Grier as the third-string option. The hope was that Milton could step up if needed, but his performance against the Ravens has raised red flags.
In a scathing assessment, Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk and NBC Sports summed up the Cowboys’ predicament in three chilling words: “backup quarterback problem.” Williams didn’t mince words, stating, “It’s obvious the Cowboys have a backup quarterback problem.” For a team with Super Bowl ambitions, this is a nightmare scenario.
During the loss to Baltimore, Milton’s performance was shaky at best. The Ravens’ defense threw him off balance, exploiting his inexperience with clever schemes. Schottenheimer noted a critical moment on a third-down play where Milton was outmaneuvered: “They fooled him a little bit on the safety… They showed down one side and brought the blitz from the other side, and it just spooked him. He’s got to try to throw that ball away, and his feet were kind of talking to him.”
Despite the rough outing, Schottenheimer remains optimistic, refusing to pin the blame solely on Milton. “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned,” he said post-game. “We didn’t get into rhythm offensively. What we did in the first half against the Rams, I think we came out with a different mindset in terms of trying to run the ball. They got him.”
Schottenheimer was quick to defend his young quarterback, emphasizing that the team’s struggles were a collective effort. “It wasn’t just Joe. We have to be able to run the ball better. We have to be able to take care of the ball,” he said. He also pointed out a missed opportunity by fullback Hunter Luepke, noting, “I thought Hunter had a ball he could have made a catch on. Sometimes you need somebody to help you make a play. I don’t think we did a great job of that.”
The Cowboys’ offensive coordinator is clearly focused on fostering a supportive environment rather than pointing fingers. However, the reality remains: if Prescott goes down, Milton’s inexperience could spell trouble for a team already under intense scrutiny.
The Cowboys aren’t alone in their backup quarterback woes—many NFL teams grapple with uncertainty behind their starting signal-callers. But for a franchise with the Cowboys’ pedigree and fan expectations, the margin for error is razor-thin. Prescott’s health is paramount, as his ability to stay on the field and replicate his impressive stats from previous seasons will be crucial to Dallas’ success.
The acquisition of Milton was a calculated risk, especially after letting veteran backup Cooper Rush walk in the offseason. With Grier as the only other option, the Cowboys are banking on Milton’s potential to grow quickly—or, better yet, on Prescott staying healthy.
As the regular season looms, the Cowboys face a defining moment. Schottenheimer’s leadership, Prescott’s resilience, and the team’s ability to gel will determine whether they can reclaim their status as NFL elite. But the specter of a “backup quarterback problem” looms large, a reminder that one injury could derail their season.