If you want a top-tier backup quarterback in today's NFL, you're going to have to pay up. It appears as though Jerry Jones and [the Dallas Cowboys would rather do so](https://thelandryhat.com/winners-losers-dallas-cowboys-trading-joe-milton) in the form of what could be valuable NFL Draft capital, however.
The Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for Trey Lance a couple of years ago, and after that experiment failed, they decided to send a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for 2024 draft pick Joe Milton, a super-charged athlete with a big arm who impressed in their regular season finale against the Bills.
The addition of Milton isn't a bad one for the Cowboys, but their process of getting there might frustrate a number of fans. Unfortunately, this has become an all-too-common theme for Jerry Jones, whose cheapness may have cost the team a truly elite backup quarterback situation.
Jerry Jones scoffed at price of Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock before Joe Milton trade?
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> The Cowboys had interest in adding Jacoby Brissett in free agency, but he signed with Arizona. They also discussed the possibility of Drew Lock. Joe Milton is under contract for three years at much lower numbers. Betting on the upside on the Patriots' 6th round pick last year.
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> — Todd Archer (@toddarcher) [April 3, 2025](https://twitter.com/toddarcher/status/1907807768850956484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Brissett signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year deal worth just $12.5 million in total money. After the Cowboys decided to let Cooper Rush walk in free agency (two years, $12.2 million with Ravens), it became clear that they were going to go budget-friendly with their backup QB situation.
The thing is, that might not be the wisest course of action with Dak Prescott coming off of injury.
Look, you've definitely got to save money somewhere. And fans can even probably get on board with the idea of the _upside_ of Joe Milton versus the proven abilities of a player like Jacoby Brissett. There's certainly more of that with Milton.
But is that what this team needs in their current context? Or do they need someone who could step in and start a significant number of games if called upon?
As interesting as Milton was in that final game of the 2024 regular season, you could also argue that even Drew Lock would have been a better option for Dallas. Lock has been a turnover machine throughout the course of his NFL career but he also absolutely exploded for a game with the New York Giants last season against the Indianapolis Colts in which he threw for over 300 yards, four touchdowns, and an almost-perfect 155.3 QB rating.
The Cowboys legitimately may have had a chance to upgrade their backup QB situation over an already strong one with Cooper Rush and his familiarity with the offense, but Jerry Jones isn't as willing to open up the checkbook these days for certain positions.
I guess you've got to find margin somewhere, and the Cowboys are choosing to take that risk at the backup quarterback position. Surely, this won't bite them at any point.