The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback situation took a grim turn on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium, where aspiring backup Joe Milton III delivered a performance so lackluster he gave himself a “D” grade. The 25-year-old, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick acquired from the New England Patriots in April, was expected to solidify his role as the No. 2 quarterback behind three-time Pro Bowler Dak Prescott. Instead, Milton’s second straight shaky preseason outing has left Cowboys fans and coaches questioning whether he’s ready for the job—or if he ever will be.
Milton, dubbed “Bazooka Joe” for his cannon-like arm, was brought in to replace Cooper Rush, who signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens after serving as Dallas’ reliable backup. With a $4.2 million rookie contract and three years remaining, Milton was the presumed favorite to secure the backup role over practice squad veteran Will Grier. But Saturday’s 31-13 loss to the Ravens exposed glaring weaknesses that have cast doubt on his future with the team.
Keyon Martin sacks Joe Milton for a safety
pic.twitter.com/DHtKWBX8DN— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) August 16, 2025
Facing his former teammate Rush, Milton was thoroughly outplayed. Rush, starting for Baltimore, completed 20 of 30 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, despite two interceptions, including a Pick 6 by Dallas cornerback Andrew Booth. Milton, by contrast, managed a dismal 9-of-18 for 122 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. To make matters worse, he was sacked in the end zone for a safety early in the first quarter—a moment that set the tone for a long night.
Milton’s athleticism and arm strength have never been in question. Late in the second quarter, with the ball at Baltimore’s 41-yard line, he showcased his raw power, launching a pass from beyond the 50 all the way to the Ravens’ end zone. The problem? The ball landed not in the hands of a Cowboys receiver but in the grasp of Baltimore’s undrafted rookie cornerback Reuben Lowery. It was a microcosm of Milton’s night: big potential, bigger mistakes.
“The bad plays outweighed the good,” wrote Jon Machota of The Athletic, summing up Milton’s performance. With only one preseason game left, Machota noted that Milton has yet to prove he deserves the backup role behind Prescott.
First-year Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t mince words when addressing Milton’s struggles but stopped short of writing him off. “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned,” Schottenheimer told reporters post-game. “We came out trying to run the ball, but they brought the blitz and spooked him. He’s got to throw the ball away. It’s not just him—we’ve got to run the ball better and take care of it.”
DEFENSE CAME TO PLAY
Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/hsG5VuuhFu
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2025
Schottenheimer also dismissed comparisons between Milton and Rush, who has years of NFL experience. “Cooper Rush has played in this league a long time. What he did tonight didn’t surprise anyone,” he said, as quoted by CBS Sports. “Joe Milton is in Year Two. I’m not panicked. It’s not just the quarterbacks—it’s us as coaches, it’s the other players. It’s all of it.”
With only one preseason game remaining, the clock is ticking for Milton to prove he can handle the backup role. His physical gifts are undeniable, but his inability to translate raw talent into consistent execution raises red flags. The Cowboys, already under pressure to maximize Prescott’s prime years, can’t afford a liability behind their star quarterback.
As Milton prepares for his final audition, the question isn’t whether he has the arm to make big plays—it’s whether he can avoid the costly mistakes that could sink Dallas’ season. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the answer will define not just Milton’s future, but the Cowboys’ depth chart heading into a pivotal 2025 campaign.