The clock is ticking for Joe Milton to secure the Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback role, but the early indications are the strong-armed signal-caller will have every opportunity to do just that. As the Cowboys kickoff the team’s preseason schedule with an opener against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted that the Cowboys want to see what Milton will do with his reps in both training camp and preseason action.
“I think we have faith in Joe already,” Schottenheimer said ahead of the Cowboys-Rams game, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “But it’s incredibly important.
“You’re talking about a guy who hasn’t played a whole lot of football, not just in the National Football League, [but] in college. Some of these guys coming out of college, they’ve got five and six years’ worth of starts,” Schottenheimer added.
“He’s going to make some mistakes. That’s part of preseason football. S—, I’ll make some mistakes, being a first-time head coach. That’s why we do preseason. But the reps are important for him just because every chance he gets to stand back there and … ‘drive the car.'”
Dak Prescott on Joe Milton’s Arm Strength: ‘I’m Going to Put Joe Up With Any (Quarterback)’
There is a good chance that the Cowboys are hoping Milton can win the QB2 job given the team gave up a fifth-round pick to acquire the quarterback from the New England Patriots this offseason. Milton has gone viral during training camp for showing off his arm strength.
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Count Dak Prescott among the admirers of Milton’s arm strength. Rumors swirl about just how far Milton can throw the football with one clip showing a 75-yard dart to Cowboys receiver Jalen Brooks.
“No, I haven’t [seen someone with Milton’s arm strength],” Prescott noted on August 7, per CBS Sports. “We were talking with Schotty, and he said he’s seen somebody [with better arm strength than Milton].
“… He mentioned Brett Favre. I obviously haven’t seen Brett throw in person, but I’m going to put Joe up with any of them.”
Joe Milton Is Battling Will Grier To Be the Cowboys QB2
Will Grier has the edge when it comes to experience in the Cowboys offense. Early in training camp, The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins noted that Milton was being given every opportunity to be the team’s backup over Grier.
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“Cowboys trying to give Joe Milton the No. 2 QB gig,” Watkins explained in a July 21, message on X. “We’ll see how Will Grier responds.”
Cowboys QB Joe Milton: ‘I’m Very Excited’
Given Prescott’s injury history, the Cowboys backup role is not simply window dressing. Following his standout college football career at Tennessee, Milton played in just one game for the Patriots. Milton sounds excited to show off his talent now that the quarterback is in Big D.
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“I’m very excited,” Milton noted, per Archer. “Football season is back around. Another opportunity to get out there with a new team, a new bunch of guys that I’ve been studying and learning with through the grind.”
Milton’s battle against Grier will be one of the more anticipated competitions during the NFL preseason.
