In a deal that few saw coming but one that could have ripple effects across the NFL, the New England Patriots are sending quarterback Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys, sources told ESPN on Monday. As part of a multi-tiered quarterback carousel, Cooper Rush, who served as Dak Prescott’s backup in Dallas for several seasons, is heading to the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys, in turn, are rolling the dice on Milton, a high-upside, rocket-armed quarterback whose journey to this moment has been anything but conventional.
As teams around the league finalize their depth charts and set their rosters for the upcoming 2025 season, this trade represents more than just a backup quarterback swap. It’s a bold statement—Dallas is looking to infuse youth and raw talent into its quarterback room. With Dak Prescott entering a critical contract year and facing lingering uncertainty about his long-term status, Joe Milton represents both a contingency plan and a developmental project with tantalizing potential.
Let’s break down how this trade came to be, what it means for both teams, and why Joe Milton might be stepping into one of the most pressure-packed backup roles in the NFL.
The Trade Breakdown
To Dallas Cowboys:
- QB Joe Milton III
To Baltimore Ravens:
- QB Cooper Rush
To New England Patriots:
- 2025 fifth-round pick (from Dallas via Baltimore)
The deal, facilitated through a three-team conversation, began to pick up steam earlier this month as Dallas quietly explored the backup quarterback market. The Cowboys were reportedly intrigued by Milton’s upside ever since his impressive showing at the 2024 NFL Combine, where he wowed scouts with a 62 mph throw—tied for one of the fastest ever recorded. Although Milton ultimately landed with New England as a Day 3 pick, the Patriots’ quarterback room grew crowded quickly with Jacoby Brissett and rookie phenom Drake Maye battling for the starting job.
Joe Milton III: A Wild Ride to the NFL
Milton’s journey to Dallas has been anything but straightforward. After starting his college career at Michigan, he transferred to Tennessee in 2021 where he initially lost the starting job to Hendon Hooker. But Milton stayed the course, and when Hooker went down with a season-ending injury in 2022, Milton stepped in and turned heads in the Orange Bowl against Clemson.
He carried that momentum into the 2023 season, where he showed flashes of brilliance, showcasing his incredible arm strength, mobility, and leadership. However, he also demonstrated inconsistency with accuracy and decision-making—traits that caused his draft stock to fluctuate.
Still, NFL scouts were enamored by the physical traits. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, with one of the strongest arms the league has seen in years, Milton was seen as a moldable piece of clay. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo compared him to a “young Josh Allen,” though Milton lacked the same polish at the same stage.
Now, Milton finds himself in one of the highest-profile markets in football, wearing the star on his helmet. And the expectations, even for a backup, are sky-high.
Why Dallas Made the Move
The Cowboys’ motivation here is layered. First, the team has long been enamored with traits over track record, especially at the quarterback position. Remember, they once rolled the dice on a raw Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Prescott was thrown into action following a preseason injury to Tony Romo—and the rest was history.
This trade signals that Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy are again willing to bet on potential, especially when the current quarterback situation is laced with questions.
Dak is entering the final year of his contract with no extension in sight. Although he had a resurgent 2024 campaign that saw the Cowboys make a deep playoff run, Jones has remained non-committal about locking him up long-term. With Trey Lance still on the roster but failing to inspire confidence last season, Milton gives the Cowboys another developmental option with a ceiling potentially as high as any young quarterback in the league.
“We view Joe as a player who can grow in our system,” said Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in a statement. “He’s got elite physical tools, and we’re excited to see how he develops under Dak’s mentorship.”
A New Chapter for Cooper Rush
Lost in the excitement over Milton’s arrival is the departure of one of the most quietly reliable backup quarterbacks in recent Cowboys history: Cooper Rush.
Rush, undrafted out of Central Michigan in 2017, became a fan favorite in Dallas during the 2022 and 2023 seasons when he filled in admirably for Prescott during injury absences. He led the team to a 5-1 record in Prescott’s absence over two years and proved to be a steady hand in turbulent times.
Now, Rush heads to Baltimore, where he’ll serve as the primary backup to Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have been seeking a dependable veteran to hold down the QB2 role after the departure of Tyler Huntley, and Rush’s experience and intelligence made him an appealing target.
“He’s a consummate professional,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We think Cooper brings stability and sharp decision-making, which are critical when you’re backing up a player like Lamar.”
What This Means for Trey Lance
With Milton coming in, the writing may be on the wall for Trey Lance.
The former No. 3 overall pick was acquired by the Cowboys in 2023 for a fourth-round pick, but his time in Dallas has been mostly quiet. Lance failed to earn the QB2 spot last season, and questions persist about his mechanics, confidence, and readiness.
This trade may signal the beginning of the end for Lance in Dallas. While nothing is official, it’s likely that the Cowboys will hold an open competition in camp between Lance and Milton for the backup job behind Dak.
Given the Cowboys only kept two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last year, one of them may be the odd man out come September.
Milton’s Fit in Dallas’ Offensive Scheme
One of the major questions is how well Milton fits into Dallas’ West Coast-style offense. Brian Schottenheimer has tweaked the system to highlight quick reads and timing-based routes, a potential challenge for a quarterback like Milton, who is still working on refining his touch and anticipation.
That said, Milton’s athleticism and cannon arm could open up vertical elements of the offense that haven’t been as prominent since the days of Tony Romo slinging it to Dez Bryant.
And while Milton may not see the field immediately, don’t underestimate the impact he could have in the film room and on the practice field. Prescott has been known to embrace mentorship roles, and helping to mold a talent like Milton could be one of the most important things Dak does this year—especially if it’s his last in Dallas.
Fan Reaction and Expectations
Cowboys Nation was abuzz Monday as the news broke.
“Joe Milton?! Dude has a bazooka for an arm! If he learns the playbook, he’s a steal!” tweeted one fan.
Others were more skeptical.
“Cool, but what happened to Trey Lance? Another QB project? This better not mean we’re planning to move on from Dak,” wrote another.
Therein lies the tension: while the Cowboys remain publicly committed to Dak Prescott for 2025, this trade opens the door for speculation. Could Milton eventually push Lance off the roster? Could he be groomed as a potential starter if the team parts ways with Prescott next offseason?
The questions will linger until answers emerge on the field.
Milton’s Mental Makeup
Those close to Milton say he’s ready for the challenge.
“He’s matured a lot since Michigan,” said one AFC scout. “He knows who he is now, and he knows what it takes to earn trust in an NFL locker room. He’s not coming to Dallas to make waves—he’s coming to work.”
Milton himself echoed that sentiment in a brief video message posted to his social media shortly after the trade was announced.
“Grateful for my time in New England. Blessed for the opportunity in Dallas. Ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to ball. Let’s work, Cowboys Nation.”
The Road Ahead
As OTAs begin next month, the spotlight will be firmly on Joe Milton. Can he adapt quickly to a new offensive system? Can he outperform Trey Lance in camp? Will he impress enough to give the Cowboys confidence in their depth behind Dak?
For now, Milton is the latest in a long line of quarterback gambles by the Cowboys—some of which have paid off, others that have faded into obscurity. But the upside here is real.
In a league that constantly evolves and where quarterback depth is gold, Joe Milton might just be Dallas’ next big swing. And if he connects, the echoes from Big D will be heard across the NFL.
Final Thought
In many ways, this trade represents a microcosm of where the NFL is headed: upside over experience, traits over tape, and the relentless pursuit of quarterback depth in a league where one injury can define a season. The Cowboys are betting big on a big arm. Now it’s up to Joe Milton to prove them right.
