Joe Milton Is QB2 in Dallas - But Can He Stay There?
The Cowboys’ quarterback picture heading into 2026 is clear at the top - Dak Prescott is the guy, no questions asked. But behind him? That’s where things get interesting.
With Brian Schottenheimer running the offense, Dallas appears set to roll into the offseason with Joe Milton penciled in as Prescott’s backup. It’s a notable decision, and one that carries both promise and risk.
Milton has the kind of arm that makes scouts and coaches do a double-take - we’re talking about a guy who casually launched an 82-yard missile in practice just last month. That’s not just arm strength, that’s raw power.
But as anyone around the league will tell you, rocket-launcher ability only gets you so far in the NFL. The real test comes in mastering the finer points of quarterback play.
That’s where Milton still has ground to cover.
The question facing Dallas is whether Milton can develop the consistency and nuance needed to be a reliable No. 2.
The tools are there - you can’t teach his size or arm - but the challenge lies in refining the rest of his game. That means understanding defensive coverages at a high level, recognizing blitzes, adjusting protections, and throwing with touch when the moment calls for it.
A five-yard out doesn’t need to arrive like a 100 mph fastball.
Right now, Milton’s game is a bit of a rollercoaster. Exciting?
Absolutely. But also unpredictable.
We saw that play out during the preseason. Early on, Milton struggled.
The timing wasn’t there, the reads were slow, and the decision-making looked raw. But as the reps piled up, so did the improvement.
By the third preseason game, he looked more poised, more comfortable, and more capable of running the offense. That growth is exactly what the Cowboys are banking on.
Now, with another offseason to learn behind Prescott, the hope is that Milton can take the next step - enough of a step that if Dak has to miss a game or two, the offense doesn’t fall apart. That’s a big ask, and it’s fair to say not many around the league feel completely comfortable with that scenario just yet. But the potential is there.
Could Milton follow in the footsteps of someone like Cooper Rush - a steady, reliable backup who can manage the offense and keep things on track? Possibly.
But with Milton’s physical gifts, the bar should be set higher. He’s not just a game manager in waiting.
He’s got the tools to be a playmaker. The question is whether he can harness them in a way that earns the coaching staff’s trust.
Will Grier, who’s been in the building before, could re-enter the conversation if he returns to the roster. And if Milton falters, don’t be surprised if Dallas goes shopping for a low-cost veteran to stabilize the room. But for now, Milton holds the No. 2 spot - and it’s his to lose.
Prescott, for his part, has been more durable in recent years, playing full seasons in two of the last three. Not coincidentally, those were among the best campaigns of his career. Still, given his injury history, having a dependable backup isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Milton has the inside track. But the real evaluation begins this offseason, and the spotlight will only get brighter when training camp kicks off.
Whether he can rise to the moment remains to be seen. But if he does, the Cowboys might just have something special brewing behind No.