Frisco, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys’ search for backup quarterbacks to Duck Prescott has landed in Joe Milton III.
The Cowboys won 2025 Milton and seventh pick (No. 217) from the New England Patriots on Thursday for their fifth pick (No. 171).
A few weeks ago, discussions between the clubs escalated this week at the NFL’s annual meeting at Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Cowboys’ backup needs rose after Cooper Rush signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, which guaranteed him $4.2 million. Early in the free agency, the Cowboys targeted Jacoby Brissett on a source-by-source basis, but signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys also watched Drew Locke, who spent last year with the New York Giants.
Last season, the Cowboys had conversations with Treylanth about the extension after Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but they didn’t go anywhere. Lance began his final match of the 2024 season and is currently signed.
Milton, who was his sixth pick last year, played in the New England season finale, leading the Patriots to a victory over the Buffalo Bills. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, earning another score.
Before the trade, the Cowboys only griered behind Prescott on the roster.
Prescott, who missed a game due to injury in four of the last five seasons, is undergoing surgery to repair a mid-range hamstring against the Atlanta Falcons. His rehabilitation is on track, but the Cowboys are hoping to limit him during the offseason program.
“I don’t know what full participation means. Everyone will be smarter about it,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday. “For me, he is on schedule under circumstances, to prepare in a very sensible way to spend the year we have. I think he is ready to go. He should be able to do what is needed in a timely manner, on teams, and for the spring.
Milton was the Patriot’s third string quarterback and Brissett last season behind starter Drake May, who was drafted in the first round last year. The Patriot signed a new free agency backup last month with quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
