The Dallas Cowboys have a new backup for quarterback Dak Prescott. New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III is reportedly heading to Dallas in a trade involving late-round draft picks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Cowboys are giving up a compensatory fifth-round pick for Milton. The Patriots will send the quarterback and a seventh-round pick back to Dallas in the deal.
Dallas was in the market for a backup quarterback after losing Cooper Rush in the offseason. Rush signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in March. Rush was pushed into action last season after Prescott sustained hamstring injury that knocked him out for the season. In 12 games Rush threw for 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Given Prescott's recent injury history — he missed five games in 2022 and nine games in 2024 — the Cowboys were in the market for a useable backup quarterback.
Whether Milton, 25, can fill that role remains to be seen. After being selected by the Patriots in the sixth-round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Milton showed some promise in limited preseason work. He saw action in just one regular-season game last year, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and 1 touchdown in a Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Barring another move, Milton should enter 2025 as Prescott's primary backup. Prescott, 31, didn't perform up to his usual standards last season, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions before missing the rest of the season.
Prescott is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2025 NFL season. The Cowboys signed the quarterback to a massive four-year, $240 million extension in 2024 and will continue to rely on the veteran when healthy.
A return to form from Prescott would do a lot to get the Cowboys back on track after the team failed to make the playoffs in 2024. If Prescott were to once again miss time with injury, however, Thursday's trade gives the team an intriguing, young backup in Milton.
