In April, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising decision to acquire backup quarterback Joe Milton III from the New England Patriots, sparking curiosity among fans and analysts about the rationale behind the move. Since then, Milton’s development during the Cowboys’ springtime workouts has shed light on why the team was willing to take a chance on him.
How Coaching and Environment Have Influenced Milton’s Growth
Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay recently shared insights into Milton’s progress, emphasizing the role of coaching in unlocking a player’s potential. McClay praised Milton’s commitment and eagerness to learn the system, highlighting how being around a seasoned starter like Dak Prescott has helped the young quarterback better understand what it takes to succeed at this level.
“Football’s about coaching, and coaches make guys better if they want to get better,” McClay said while speaking about Milton. “And so I’m impressed by the fact that Joe is engrossed in what we’re doing and really tying it all together. I think the best thing for him was to be around a guy like (starter Dak Prescott) to understand what it takes so that talent can come out.”
Milton’s Background and NFL Debut with the Patriots
Joe Milton III was a sixth-round pick for New England in the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL Draft but found himself low on their depth chart behind veteran Jacoby Brissett and first-round rookie Drake Maye. Despite limited opportunities, Milton made a notable NFL debut in Week 18, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown against a Bills team mostly composed of reserve players. He also contributed on the ground by rushing for 16 yards and scoring a touchdown on 10 carries during the game.
Why the Cowboys Decided to Act on Milton
McClay explained that Milton’s performance in New England’s season finale played a key role in sparking Dallas’ interest. Both McClay and executive vice president Stephen Jones had reviewed Milton at the NFL Combine somewhat casually but saw enough potential to keep him on their radar. When the opportunity arose to acquire Milton at a reasonable cost, the Cowboys decided to make the trade, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
“(His play in New England’s season finale last year) was part of it,” McClay said about why the Cowboys took a flyer on Milton when they have Prescott as their QB1. “…We had actually watched Joe at the combine, just me and (executive vice president Stephen Jones) kind of messing around, just kind of going, ‘Hey, let’s look at the different guys.’ Started to spark the interest a little bit, seeing what was there. And then, he was available at the right time, for the right costs.”
Milton’s Early Performance with the Cowboys and Challenges Ahead
In his preseason appearance on August 9 at SoFi Stadium, Milton completed 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards, recording a touchdown but also throwing an interception during a 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. First-year Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer pointed out that Milton still appears like a quarterback who
“hasn’t played a ton of football in real situations,”
acknowledging the ongoing learning curve for the 25-year-old athlete.
Long-Term Outlook: What Milton’s Development Could Mean for Dallas
Although Dak Prescott remains firmly entrenched as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, the organization’s investment in developing Joe Milton III over the coming year suggests they see untapped potential in the backup. Watching how Milton adapts and grows within Dallas’ system will offer a glimpse into the success of the team’s gamble, potentially providing the club with valuable quarterback depth in the future.