The Dallas Cowboys have several roster battles that don't have a clearcut ending even after Friday's preseason finale.
At running back, for example, it's been made clear that Javonte Williams is the starter and that Jaydon Blue will see a lot of touches behind him. However, it's unclear whether vet Miles Sanders or rookie Phil Mafah will get the final spot.
The backup quarterback job, meanwhile wasn't supposed to be a competition. Thankfully, however, Joe Milton put an end to any and all speculation with an efficient outing against the Falcons. The performance all but confirms he will be QB2 behind Dak Prescott this season.
Cowboys' Joe Milton all but secured the backup QB job in preseason finale
Milton completed 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, adding up to a 97.5 passer rating. That'll do.
In a really pleasant development, he used his legs more than he did in the first two games, rushing four times for 34 yards and a score. Even when scrambling yards weren't available, Milton threw the ball out of harms way when he was flushed out of the pocket. Consider that another box checked for the second-year quarterback.
Speaking of checking boxes, Milton sped up his internal clock going through his reads and was decisive and accurate as a result. He didn't launch any uncatchable fireballs to his pass-catchers. That happened on one too many occasions in his first two starts.
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It bears repeating that Milton wasn't supposed to "battle" for the backup job. The Cowboys hoped he'd grab the bull by the horns and run away with it. That looked to be the case in training camp, but preseason halted all of that momentum ... until Friday night.
It speaks volumes that Brian Schottenheimer pulled Milton with several minutes left in the third quarter. Milton played into the fourth quarter in each of the first two preseason games
There had been growing speculation about the Cowboys possibly browsing the looming graveyard of roster cuts - or making a trade - for another quarterback. While Schottenheimer and his staff should still have reservations about Milton, he did enough to earn snaps if Dak Prescott were to miss time.
We wouldn't rule out Will Grier sticking around in some capacity if he doesn't make the initial 53-man roster, but Friday ended any debate of Milton's status as QB2. He entered on the hot seat and left with the job everyone thought he'd win in the first place. It just took a little longer than fans would have liked.
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