The Dallas Cowboys’ preseason has been a whirlwind of intrigue, with the ongoing Micah Parsons contract saga stealing headlines. Yet, on the field, a different kind of drama is unfolding—one that pits raw potential against seasoned experience in a battle for the coveted role of backup quarterback behind the battle-tested, three-time Pro Bowl star Dak Prescott. On Thursday, rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer dropped a bombshell that has fans buzzing: Joe Milton III, the second-year quarterback and 196th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will start the Cowboys’ second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. This decision leaves veteran journeyman Will Grier’s future with the team hanging in the balance
The competition for the backup quarterback spot has been one of the most compelling storylines of the Cowboys’ preseason. On one side is Joe Milton III, a 6-foot-5, 246-pound athletic marvel with a cannon for an arm—potentially the strongest in the NFL. Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2024 and now in the second year of his four-year, $4.2 million rookie contract, Milton is a relative newcomer to high-stakes NFL action. His lone appearance came in Week 18 last season against the Buffalo Bills, where he dazzled with 22 completions on 29 attempts for 241 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing score in a 23-16 Patriots victory. That performance turned heads and hinted at the electrifying potential Dallas now hopes to harness.
On the other side is Will Grier, a third-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2019 who has carved out a career as a practice squad quarterback across six different teams, including two stints with the Cowboys. Grier’s NFL resume includes two starts in his rookie season with Carolina, both losses, where he completed 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards and threw four interceptions. While Grier brings veteran savvy, his limited game action in Dallas’ preseason opener—a 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams—has left him playing catch-up in this high-stakes race.
Schottenheimer’s decision to hand Milton the starting reins for Saturday’s clash against the Ravens at 7 p.m. ET has sparked intense speculation. The rookie’s performance in the preseason opener was a tale of two halves. As Dan Rogers of Blogging the Boys described it, Milton’s outing was “Jekyll and Hyde”—erratic and unfocused early, with misfires galore, but poised and promising by the third quarter. “The team would love to see less of the ugly stuff and more of the latter,” Rogers noted, encapsulating the hope that Milton can iron out his inconsistencies.
Despite the nod to Milton, Schottenheimer was quick to temper expectations, insisting the decision isn’t a definitive verdict on the backup race. “I need to get to learn him as the play-caller,” Schottenheimer told NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “I don’t need to learn Dak. I feel like I don’t really need to learn Will. So it’s more of me having to learn Joe.” He added, “I’m not going to say who the backup quarterback is right now, because I don’t have to make those decisions yet.” The coach’s comments suggest Milton’s start is as much about evaluation as it is opportunity, leaving the door ajar for Grier.
For Milton, Saturday’s game is a golden chance to prove he’s more than just a physical specimen. Known for his jaw-dropping athleticism and rocket arm, the 25-year-old has yet to fully translate his gifts into consistent on-field production. Reflecting on his uneven preseason debut, Milton attributed his early struggles to over-excitement. “Second quarter on, I felt great,” he told CBS Sports after the Rams game. “I think I need to calm down faster, so I can start rolling in the first quarter. I was very excited. I think that’s what got me off my tracks, but I feel like if I was to go back out there again right now, I’d be able to settle down faster and make those throws for sure.”
Milton’s self-awareness and determination to improve have only heightened anticipation for his second preseason outing. A strong performance could solidify his case as Prescott’s primary backup and shift the narrative from raw talent to reliable playmaker.
Meanwhile, Will Grier finds himself in a precarious spot. His minimal snaps in the preseason opener did little to bolster his case, and Schottenheimer’s focus on evaluating Milton leaves the veteran quarterback in limbo. Grier’s experience across multiple teams could still work in his favor, but with Milton getting the spotlight, the 30-year-old must seize any opportunity to prove he’s the safer, steadier choice.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, all eyes will be on Milton. Can he harness his prodigious talent and deliver a performance that cements his place on the depth chart? Or will Grier, the well-traveled veteran, find a way to re-enter the conversation? With Schottenheimer playing his cards close to the vest, Saturday’s game could be a pivotal moment in this quarterback saga—one that might just shape the Cowboys’ season.