Dallas, TX – On March 24, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys are making headlines in the NFL offseason rumor mill with reports linking them to a surprising trade target: New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III. With the team’s backup quarterback situation in flux, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has pinpointed Dallas as a “team to watch” in the sweepstakes for the rocket-armed 25-year-old, sparking buzz about a potential new wingman for star quarterback Dak Prescott. As the Cowboys look to bolster their roster ahead of the 2025 season, Milton’s blend of raw talent and upside could be the answer to a pressing need—here’s why this move makes sense.
Cowboys’ QB Quandary
The Cowboys entered the offseason with a glaring hole behind Prescott, their franchise cornerstone who signed a four-year, $240 million extension in September 2024. Last season, Prescott’s midseason hamstring tear sidelined him for nine games, exposing the team’s vulnerability. Backup Cooper Rush, who went 5-4 in relief, bolted for the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, signing a two-year, $6 million deal. Trey Lance, the 2021 third-overall pick acquired in a 2023 trade, remains unsigned, leaving journeyman Will Grier—whose last NFL snap was in 2019—as the lone quarterback under contract behind Prescott. With Prescott turning 32 in July and a history of injuries (including a 2020 ankle fracture), Dallas desperately needs a reliable, high-potential backup.
Enter Joe Milton III. Drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round (No. 193 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Milton flashed tantalizing potential in his lone start last season. On January 5, 2025, against the Buffalo Bills, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, threw a touchdown, and ran for another in a 23-16 upset win. His 6-foot-5, 246-pound frame, freakish arm strength—capable of 70-yard bombs—and dual-threat ability (an 81-yard rushing TD at Tennessee still echoes) have scouts drooling. “He’s a lottery ticket with a cannon arm,” an NFC scout told The Athletic. For a Cowboys team seeking a developmental gem, Milton fits the bill.
Why Milton? The Perfect Fit
Dallas’s interest, as reported by Fowler on NFL Live, stems from a clear strategy: find a young backup with upside they might not snag in the 2025 draft. “The Cowboys are looking for a good backup, a young backup with upside they may not get in the draft, maybe they get in a trade,” Fowler said. The 2025 quarterback class—headlined by Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders—lacks depth beyond the first round, and Dallas’s No. 76 pick (third round) might not land a prospect with Milton’s physical tools. Trading for Milton, who’s under a team-friendly rookie deal ($4.1 million over four years, with cap hits under $1.25 million through 2027), offers cost-controlled potential without burning high draft capital.
Milton’s skill set aligns with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s system, which thrives on deep shots and playmaker versatility—think Prescott’s chemistry with CeeDee Lamb. Milton’s arm could stretch defenses alongside Lamb, while his mobility adds a wrinkle akin to Prescott’s early years. “He’s raw, but the tools are elite,” said CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan. “Pairing him with Dak could be a mentorship goldmine.” With Prescott expected back for Week 1, Milton could marinate behind the scenes, learning from a Pro Bowler while offerin
