The Dallas Cowboys made a surprising but strategic move on Thursday morning, acquiring quarterback Joe Milton III from the New England Patriots in a trade aimed at filling the backup role behind Dak Prescott. The decision comes after longtime backup Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Milton, who was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, quickly drew attention around the league following his breakout performance in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, he threw for 241 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another score—spoiling Buffalo’s playoff seeding hopes and hurting New England’s chances of securing the No. 1 overall pick.
Despite limited regular-season action, Milton’s strong arm, athleticism, and size (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) intrigued multiple teams around the NFL. The Cowboys ultimately won the bidding war, securing the former Tennessee Volunteers star as Prescott’s new understudy.
“Trade: New England is sending QB Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, sources tell ESPN,” NFL insider Adam Schefter reported. “With Cooper Rush going to Baltimore, Dallas now has a new backup for Dak Prescott.”
Milton enters a promising situation in Dallas, where the team is looking to rebound from a disappointing playoff exit in 2024. With no clear succession plan behind Prescott, Milton offers youth, upside, and a fresh dynamic in the quarterback room. While he’s still raw, his potential has coaches and fans alike excited about what he could become under the right guidance.
For New England, the trade suggests confidence in their new quarterback direction, as they continue rebuilding under a fresh coaching staff. By moving Milton, they gain roster flexibility and potentially open the door for a veteran addition or another young prospect in the upcoming draft.
Although this isn’t the type of blockbuster deal that grabs national headlines, it may prove to be a critical depth move for a Cowboys team looking to make a deeper playoff run in 2025.
