© Kyle Terada/Imagn
Dak Prescott still has four years and around $271 million worth of cap hits remaining on his contract with the Dallas Cowboys. But Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization may well have sent a message and found Prescott’s successor on Thursday when they acquired backup quarterback Joe Milton from the New England Patriots.
Milton, 25, was once a top NFL draft prospect as the starting quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers. Inconsistent play led him to fall to the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft where he was selected as a potential insurance policy for first-round pick Drake Maye.
Given the opportunity to start in place of an injured Maye in Week 18 of the 2024 season, Milton shined. The big-armed Florida native went 22-of-29 for 241 yards and touchdown and had a highlight reel play called back for holding. Additionally, Milton ran for four first downs and touchdown for New England.
Joe Milton had one of the wildest throws of the season on a snap that was ultimately called back.
More than ok to watch him do crazy shit like this for a late-round pick swap. pic.twitter.com/7XRGxadkVr
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) April 3, 2025
Dallas traded a fifth round pick (#171) to the Patriots in exchange for Milton and a seventh-round pick. Presumably, Milton now steps into the backup quarterback role vacated by Cooper Rush, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. The Cowboys also allowed Trey Lance, whom they previously traded a fourth-round pick for, to leave in free agency.
“I don’t want to be sarcastic, but have you got the same arithmetic I’ve got? We’ve won three games with Dak,” Jones said following a 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in November with Prescott sidelined due to injury. “So, I’m just saying we weren’t playing well with Dak—at all. So, there’s a lot to work on here, and we are all aware of that, and [it’s] very concerning.”
Prescott is the Cowboys starter in 2025. That much is inarguable. But it’s clear Jones and co. are exploring several options to try and replace him.