On April 3, the New England Patriots completed the trade of quarterback Joe Milton III, their 2024 sixth-round draft pick, to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys sent a fifth-round pick and a seventh-round pick to acquire the 25-year-old Milton and his $4.2 million four-year rookie contract. This move came after weeks of speculation about Milton’s future with the Patriots.

New England quickly used the pick received for Milton to select kicker Andres Borregales, long snapper Julian Ashby, and cornerback Kobee Minor through further draft-day trades, reshaping their roster following the quarterback’s departure.

Memorable Performances That Put Milton on the Map

Milton first captured NFL attention during Week 18 of last season, when he played most snaps against the Buffalo Bills in a game with little playoff impact. In that outing, he completed 22 of 29 passes, tossed a touchdown, and ran for another. His mobility and arm strength were on full display as he evaded defenders and launched a pass into the end zone at 61.7 mph, marking it as the second-hardest throw ever recorded in the league.

Milton’s arm talent extends beyond games; footage shows him casually throwing 80-yard passes during training sessions, and he claims he can reach 95 yards on throws. This impressive arm strength contributed to his appeal in Dallas, where his potential is closely watched.

First Public Appearance at Cowboys OTA Reveals Highs and Lows

During the Cowboys’ first public Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice, Joe Milton III attracted attention alongside star quarterback Dak Prescott, who returned fully after missing several weeks due to a hamstring injury. This session provided a first chance for media and fans to observe the new backup quarterback in action.

Observers described Milton’s performance as a “rollercoaster” marked by moments of brilliance and noticeable errors. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported,

“The Joe Milton Experience was on full display today. The highs were fun and the lows were definitely notable.”

These highs included a 20-yard run off a broken play, while the lows involved two interceptions thrown by Milton during the drills.

For perspective, New England’s second-year starter Drake Maye threw four interceptions during his OTA debut, underscoring the challenges young quarterbacks face at this stage.

Evaluating Milton’s Strengths and Development Areas

Milton’s departure from New England reportedly stemmed from his outspoken belief that he should compete for the starting spot against Drake Maye. While the Patriots kept him mostly on the practice squad behind Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett, Milton’s talent remained evident.

Jerry Trotta of Fansided highlighted Milton’s arm strength as among the strongest in the NFL but emphasized the need for further development.

“Milton has tremendous upside and already boasts one of the strongest arms in the NFL. However, he has a lot of developing to do. He needs more touch on his passes and often loses timing of progressions. That can be attributed to his wonky footwork, but the talent is undeniable,”

Trotta wrote. He added,

“If Milton’s first OTA practice was any indication, Cowboys fans should expect a lot of ups and downs from the young QB this offseason.”

New Role with the Cowboys and Future Expectations

Milton’s actual game experience remains limited; he only saw playing time in week 18 of last season once the AFC East standings were determined. With Dak Prescott’s history of injuries, the Cowboys may rely on Milton more than anticipated, possibly giving him significant playing time during the season. This opportunity represents a crucial phase for Milton, who now aims to translate his athletic potential and arm talent into consistent, high-level performances in Dallas.