The Dallas Cowboys have successfully secured Joe Milton III as their backup quarterback following a trade with the New England Patriots. This move comes after the Cowboys sought a young quarterback to develop, especially after their previous experience with Trey Lance did not pan out.
Milton was traded to the Cowboys after the Patriots decided to part ways with him due to their depth at the quarterback position, which included franchise quarterback Drake Maye and newly signed Joshua Dobbs.
The Cowboys managed to acquire Milton for a minimal cost, giving up a late-round draft pick (No. 171) in exchange for an early seventh-round pick (No. 217), representing a minor shift in their draft strategy.
Initially, the Cowboys were optimistic about Milton's potential, especially after his impressive performance in one game during the 2024 season. He demonstrated poise, made smart decisions, and effectively placed the ball. However, as training camp progressed, concerns about his readiness became evident, with reports indicating that he struggled with consistency and accuracy.
Despite these issues, the Cowboys entered the last season with Milton as their sole backup quarterback. Fortunately for the team, Dak Prescott remained healthy throughout the season, limiting Milton's playing time to garbage time situations where he showed flashes of talent but also made critical mistakes.
