Could Joe Milton III Be the Dolphins’ Surprise QB Solution?
The Miami Dolphins are entering a pivotal offseason, and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan doesn’t have a ton of wiggle room to work with. Between a tight salary cap and a roster that needs reshaping, Sullivan is tasked with steering a team in transition.
A big part of that challenge? Tua Tagovailoa’s contract, which looms large over the Dolphins’ financial outlook.
Sullivan, who spent years in the Packers’ front office, is known for his eye for talent and his ability to develop it through the draft. But this year’s rookie quarterback class doesn’t offer a clear-cut solution if Miami is looking for a long-term successor to Tua. That leaves the Dolphins exploring other avenues-namely, the trade market.
While a reunion with Malik Willis might be the dream scenario for Sullivan, it could be out of Miami’s price range. But there’s another intriguing option: Joe Milton III, the rocket-armed quarterback currently backing up Dak Prescott in Dallas.
From Sixth-Round Flyer to Trade Target?
Milton entered the league as a sixth-round pick (184th overall) by the New England Patriots in 2024. He didn’t exactly walk into a favorable situation.
The Patriots had just drafted Drake Maye at No. 3 overall, and veteran Jacoby Brissett was already in the quarterback room. Milton was buried on the depth chart, and the odds of him getting meaningful reps were slim.
But Milton didn’t go quietly. In a recent interview with WEEI, he opened up about his time in New England and made it clear he felt overlooked. According to Milton, he was lighting it up in practice-dropping deep balls on the scout team, carving up the Patriots' defense-and still couldn’t climb the depth chart.
“I’m running over y’all defense. I’m throwing the ball over your head,” Milton said.
“It got to the point at the Patriots where I threw a deep ball to my left over Gonzo. And while the ball was in the air, I turned around, just looking at Mayo.
Eliot was right there. They couldn’t do nothing but just look at the ball.
The ball got completed and scored. Scout team receiver scored.
And they just shook their head.”
Milton didn’t stop there. He questioned why Brissett remained the No. 2 quarterback despite not taking reps, while he and Maye were the ones grinding in practice. “I just felt disrespected,” Milton said bluntly.
That frustration simmered all season, but he finally got his shot in the regular-season finale. With the Bills resting their starters, Milton got the nod-and he delivered.
He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, and added another score on the ground. It was a small sample size, sure, but a highly encouraging one.
For a player making his first NFL start, Milton looked composed, confident, and capable.
Why Miami Should Be Paying Attention
Now in Dallas as Prescott’s backup, Milton is still stuck behind a franchise quarterback. But his rookie contract runs through 2027, and it’s clear the 25-year-old wants a real shot at starting. Enter the Dolphins.
Miami has the draft capital to make a move-three third-round picks, to be exact. If Sullivan believes in Milton’s upside, that’s more than enough ammunition to make a deal. And if the Dolphins want to sweeten the pot, they could even include Quinn Ewers, a Texas native, in the package.
Milton isn’t just another developmental quarterback. At 6'5", 246 pounds, he’s built like a linebacker and moves like a tight end.
His arm strength is already the stuff of legend-arguably the strongest in the league. He’s got the physical tools to be a star.
What he needs is time on the field and a coaching staff willing to invest in his development.
Is He the Answer?
Let’s be clear-Malik Willis is still the top target for Miami if they’re looking to make a splash. But Milton offers a fascinating alternative.
He’s younger, cheaper, and under team control for two more seasons. And while he doesn’t have the same NFL résumé as Willis, his ceiling is just as high, if not higher.
This is the kind of move that could define Sullivan’s early tenure in Miami. Take a swing on a quarterback with elite traits and a chip on his shoulder, and you might just find yourself a franchise cornerstone. Ignore the opportunity, and you risk watching Milton break out somewhere else.
For a Dolphins team at a crossroads, Joe Milton III might be more than just a backup with a big arm. He could be the bold bet that changes everything.