In a move that has left Dallas Cowboys fans buzzing with both excitement and skepticism, Joe Milton III, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback with a cannon for an arm, has reportedly secured the backup role behind star quarterback Dak Prescott. The decision, projected by Cowboys insider Jon Machota of The Athletic, marks a surprising turnaround for Milton, whose raw talent and inconsistent fundamentals have made him one of the NFL’s most polarizing prospects.
A Risky Trade Pays Off
The Cowboys raised eyebrows in April when they traded a fifth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots to acquire Milton, who was selected 193rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The move puzzled analysts, as the Patriots had already drafted North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick, pegging him as their quarterback of the future. However, New England’s executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, later explained that Milton’s “too much talent” made him impossible to pass up, even as a late-round flier.
Dallas saw an opportunity to snag a high-upside project to replace Cooper Rush, the dependable backup who had been Prescott’s understudy for eight seasons. Rush, who started eight games last season during Prescott’s hamstring injury, posted a respectable 60.7 percent completion rate for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. His performance earned him a two-year, $12.2 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens to back up Lamar Jackson, leaving a void in Dallas.
The Joe Milton Experience
Milton’s physical gifts are undeniable. His arm strength is among the best in the NFL, capable of making jaw-dropping throws that few quarterbacks can match. However, his inconsistent grasp of the finer points of the position—such as reading defenses and maintaining pocket presence—has earned his playing style the moniker “The Joe Milton Experience.” It’s a phrase that encapsulates both the electrifying potential and the head-scratching mistakes that define his game.
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Throughout the Cowboys’ preseason, head coach Brian Schottenheimer faced a tough choice between Milton and Will Grier, a seven-year journeyman who hasn’t played an official NFL snap since 2019. Schottenheimer gave Milton the starting nod in all three preseason games, a clear sign of the team’s investment in his development. Milton’s stats—36 of 65 passes completed, two touchdowns, and two interceptions—were far from stellar, but his performance in the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night proved to be the deciding factor.
Friday’s Finale Seals the Deal
According to Machota, Milton’s showing against Atlanta was his best of the preseason. While he faced second- and third-string defenders, Milton played with improved timing and operated effectively within the offense. The Landry Hat’s Jerry Trotta noted that Schottenheimer’s decision to pull Milton midway through the third quarter suggested confidence in what he had seen. “If Milton was playing for the backup job on Friday, he all but secured it,” Trotta wrote. “Even if he’s not fully ready for regular-season action, he showed enough to earn those reps anyway.”
Machota echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that Milton’s overall preseason was underwhelming but emphasizing that his final performance tipped the scales. “Is he ready to be Prescott’s backup? Probably not,” Machota wrote. “But having $240 million invested in Prescott, Jerry Jones is unlikely to spend much more on the position group.”
A Controversial Choice
The decision to name Milton as Prescott’s backup has sparked debate among Cowboys fans. On one hand, Milton’s raw talent offers a high ceiling, and his development could provide Dallas with a long-term solution at the backup position—or even a trade asset down the line. On the other hand, his inexperience and shaky fundamentals raise concerns about his readiness to step in if Prescott, who appears fully recovered from last season’s injury, were to miss time.
Some fans and analysts argue that Grier, despite his lack of recent game experience, might have been the safer choice for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, the Cowboys’ front office, led by owner Jerry Jones, seems willing to bet on Milton’s upside, even if it comes with risks. Machota also suggested that Dallas might find a way to keep Grier on the roster, possibly as a practice squad member, to maintain depth at the position.
What’s Next for Milton and the Cowboys?
As NFL teams finalize their 53-man rosters, all eyes will be on Schottenheimer’s official announcement, expected within the next 48 hours. While Milton’s ascent to the backup role is a testament to his potential, it also underscores the Cowboys’ willingness to take bold risks in their quest to build a championship-caliber team around Prescott.
For now, Milton’s journey from a late-round draft pick to Prescott’s backup is a storyline that will keep Cowboys Nation on edge. Whether “The Joe Milton Experience” becomes a fan favorite or a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Dallas’ quarterback room just got a lot more intriguing.