It’s April 3, 2025, and Frisco, Texas, just got a jolt of excitement. The Dallas Cowboys pulled off a trade with the New England Patriots, snagging quarterback Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round compensatory pick. If you’re a Cowboys fan, you’re probably buzzing right now. After losing Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency and watching the Trey Lance experiment fizzle out, the team needed a backup plan behind Dak Prescott. And honestly, this move feels like a smart one. Milton’s not just a warm body to fill a roster spot. He’s a young quarterback with a cannon for an arm, some serious upside, and a chance to grow into something special. Let’s unpack why this trade could be a game-changer for Dallas.
The Trade That Shook Things Up
Picture the scene at The Star today. The Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry and Stephen Jones, has been hinting all week that they weren’t done tinkering with the roster. Stephen even said at the league meetings in Florida, “We’re not done yet. We’ve got some things we’re trying to get done.” Well, they got it done this morning. The deal’s pretty straightforward. Dallas sent their compensatory fifth-round pick, number 171 overall, to New England. In return, they got Milton plus a seventh-rounder, number 217, originally from Tennessee. It’s a low-cost swap, moving back just 46 spots in the draft to land a guy who could be Dak’s understudy for years.
Why’d the Patriots let him go? They’ve got Drake Maye locked in as their starter, and they signed veteran Joshua Dobbs to back him up. Milton, a sixth-round pick in 2024, was the odd man out. He got one real shot last season, playing most of Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills. And man, did he show out. He went 22 for 29, threw for 241 yards and a touchdown, and even ran in another score. Sure, it was against Bills backups, but that kind of stat line turns heads. New England didn’t need him, but Dallas sure did. With Rush gone and Lance unsigned, the Cowboys were down to Dak and Will Grier. They needed someone with potential, and Milton fits the bill.
Who Is Joe Milton?
If you’re not familiar with Joe Milton, here’s the rundown. He’s 25, stands 6-foot-5, and has an arm that could launch a football into orbit. He started his college career at Michigan, but things didn’t click there. So he transferred to Tennessee, where he really started to shine. In his final season with the Volunteers in 2023, he threw for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five picks, completing nearly 65 percent of his passes. He also ran for 299 yards and seven scores. The guy’s a dual-threat talent with a rocket arm, though scouts always pointed out he’s a bit raw. His accuracy can waver, and he’s still learning the finer points of the game. But the tools? They’re there in spades.
When the Patriots drafted him last year, he didn’t get much run behind Maye and Jacoby Brissett. That Week 18 game was his big moment, and it’s what likely put him on Dallas’ radar. The Cowboys have a history of taking chances on young quarterbacks. Remember Trey Lance? That trade cost a fourth-round pick and didn’t pan out, but this one’s different. Milton’s cheaper, both in trade cost and contract. He’s in year two of a four-year rookie deal, with cap hits under $1.25 million through 2027. That’s a steal for a guy who could develop into a solid backup, or maybe even more.
Why Dallas Needed This
Let’s talk about Dak Prescott for a second. He’s the heart of this team, no question. Fresh off a four-year, $240 million extension signed before the 2024 season, he’s locked in as the starter. But here’s the thing: Dak’s had some rough luck with injuries. In 2020, he broke his ankle and missed most of the year. In 2022, he sat out five games with a thumb issue. And last season, a torn hamstring cut his year short after eight games. The Cowboys went 7-10 without him, snapping a three-year run of 12-5 finishes. A good backup isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must.
Cooper Rush was that guy for a while. He stepped up big in 2021, beating the Vikings in primetime, and went 4-1 as a starter in 2022. But when he signed with Baltimore this offseason, Dallas was left scrambling. Trey Lance got a shot late last year, starting the final game, but he’s a free agent now, and talks about an extension went nowhere. Will Grier’s still around, but he hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2019. The Cowboys needed someone they could count on if Dak went down again, and they needed someone young enough to groom. Milton checks both boxes.
A Strategic Fit
This trade isn’t about replacing Dak. Let’s be clear on that. Prescott’s got a no-trade clause, a $50.5 million cap hit in 2025, and all the faith of the front office. He’s coming off surgery, but his rehab’s going well. He’ll be back under center when the season kicks off. Milton’s here to learn, to grow, and to be ready if the worst happens. And that’s where the strategy shines. Dallas didn’t break the bank to get him. A fifth-round pick for a quarterback with his upside, plus a seventh-rounder coming back? That’s a savvy move.
Think about the upside. Milton’s got three years left on his deal. He can sit behind Dak, soak up the playbook, and work with the coaching staff to polish his game. His arm strength is unreal, and he’s got the mobility to make plays with his legs. If he can tighten up his accuracy and decision-making, he could be a real asset. Worst case, he’s a reliable backup who knows the system. Best case, he turns into a trade chip down the road or even a future starter if Dak’s tenure ends someday. It’s low risk, high reward, and that’s not something you say about every Cowboys move.
What’s the Buzz?
Fans are already lighting up X about this. Some love it, calling Milton a “bazooka-armed” prospect with potential to be more than just a backup. Others are skeptical, pointing to his rawness and wondering if he’ll ever put it all together. The truth is, no one knows yet. But the Cowboys didn’t mortgage the future to find out. They gave up a mid-round pick, got a late one back, and landed a guy who’s drawn interest from teams like the Eagles, Giants, and Steelers too. Posts on X say the Patriots even had a better offer but sent Milton to Dallas out of respect for where he wanted to go. That’s a win for team chemistry before he even steps on the field.
The locker room’s got to be feeling this too. Dak’s a leader, and he’ll likely take Milton under his wing. The Cowboys have a knack for building quarterback rooms that click. Look at how Rush thrived here. Milton’s got a chance to grow in a place that values its signal-callers, and that’s half the battle for a young guy like him.
Looking Ahead
So where does this leave Dallas? They’ve still got the draft coming up, and Stephen Jones has said they might grab another quarterback if the value’s right. But Milton softens that need. They can focus on other holes, like wide receiver or the offensive line, and let him develop. If he shines in camp or preseason, maybe he even pushes Grier off the roster. And if Dak stays healthy, Milton’s just a quiet insurance policy. Either way, the Cowboys are better off today than they were yesterday.
This trade’s got me thinking about the bigger picture. Dallas has taken some heat for overpaying in the past, like with Lance or Jonathan Mingo. But this? This feels different. It’s calculated, affordable, and forward-thinking. Joe Milton might not start a game for the Cowboys in 2025. He might not ever. But he’s here, he’s got talent, and he’s got time. For a team that’s seen how fast a season can derail without a solid backup, that’s a strategic move worth cheering for. Welcome to Dallas, Joe. Let’s see what you’ve got.
The Trade That Shook Things Up
Picture the scene at The Star today. The Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry and Stephen Jones, has been hinting all week that they weren’t done tinkering with the roster. Stephen even said at the league meetings in Florida, “We’re not done yet. We’ve got some things we’re trying to get done.” Well, they got it done this morning. The deal’s pretty straightforward. Dallas sent their compensatory fifth-round pick, number 171 overall, to New England. In return, they got Milton plus a seventh-rounder, number 217, originally from Tennessee. It’s a low-cost swap, moving back just 46 spots in the draft to land a guy who could be Dak’s understudy for years.
Why’d the Patriots let him go? They’ve got Drake Maye locked in as their starter, and they signed veteran Joshua Dobbs to back him up. Milton, a sixth-round pick in 2024, was the odd man out. He got one real shot last season, playing most of Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills. And man, did he show out. He went 22 for 29, threw for 241 yards and a touchdown, and even ran in another score. Sure, it was against Bills backups, but that kind of stat line turns heads. New England didn’t need him, but Dallas sure did. With Rush gone and Lance unsigned, the Cowboys were down to Dak and Will Grier. They needed someone with potential, and Milton fits the bill.
Who Is Joe Milton?
If you’re not familiar with Joe Milton, here’s the rundown. He’s 25, stands 6-foot-5, and has an arm that could launch a football into orbit. He started his college career at Michigan, but things didn’t click there. So he transferred to Tennessee, where he really started to shine. In his final season with the Volunteers in 2023, he threw for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five picks, completing nearly 65 percent of his passes. He also ran for 299 yards and seven scores. The guy’s a dual-threat talent with a rocket arm, though scouts always pointed out he’s a bit raw. His accuracy can waver, and he’s still learning the finer points of the game. But the tools? They’re there in spades.
When the Patriots drafted him last year, he didn’t get much run behind Maye and Jacoby Brissett. That Week 18 game was his big moment, and it’s what likely put him on Dallas’ radar. The Cowboys have a history of taking chances on young quarterbacks. Remember Trey Lance? That trade cost a fourth-round pick and didn’t pan out, but this one’s different. Milton’s cheaper, both in trade cost and contract. He’s in year two of a four-year rookie deal, with cap hits under $1.25 million through 2027. That’s a steal for a guy who could develop into a solid backup, or maybe even more.
Why Dallas Needed This
Let’s talk about Dak Prescott for a second. He’s the heart of this team, no question. Fresh off a four-year, $240 million extension signed before the 2024 season, he’s locked in as the starter. But here’s the thing: Dak’s had some rough luck with injuries. In 2020, he broke his ankle and missed most of the year. In 2022, he sat out five games with a thumb issue. And last season, a torn hamstring cut his year short after eight games. The Cowboys went 7-10 without him, snapping a three-year run of 12-5 finishes. A good backup isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must.
Cooper Rush was that guy for a while. He stepped up big in 2021, beating the Vikings in primetime, and went 4-1 as a starter in 2022. But when he signed with Baltimore this offseason, Dallas was left scrambling. Trey Lance got a shot late last year, starting the final game, but he’s a free agent now, and talks about an extension went nowhere. Will Grier’s still around, but he hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2019. The Cowboys needed someone they could count on if Dak went down again, and they needed someone young enough to groom. Milton checks both boxes.
A Strategic Fit
This trade isn’t about replacing Dak. Let’s be clear on that. Prescott’s got a no-trade clause, a $50.5 million cap hit in 2025, and all the faith of the front office. He’s coming off surgery, but his rehab’s going well. He’ll be back under center when the season kicks off. Milton’s here to learn, to grow, and to be ready if the worst happens. And that’s where the strategy shines. Dallas didn’t break the bank to get him. A fifth-round pick for a quarterback with his upside, plus a seventh-rounder coming back? That’s a savvy move.
Think about the upside. Milton’s got three years left on his deal. He can sit behind Dak, soak up the playbook, and work with the coaching staff to polish his game. His arm strength is unreal, and he’s got the mobility to make plays with his legs. If he can tighten up his accuracy and decision-making, he could be a real asset. Worst case, he’s a reliable backup who knows the system. Best case, he turns into a trade chip down the road or even a future starter if Dak’s tenure ends someday. It’s low risk, high reward, and that’s not something you say about every Cowboys move.
What’s the Buzz?
Fans are already lighting up X about this. Some love it, calling Milton a “bazooka-armed” prospect with potential to be more than just a backup. Others are skeptical, pointing to his rawness and wondering if he’ll ever put it all together. The truth is, no one knows yet. But the Cowboys didn’t mortgage the future to find out. They gave up a mid-round pick, got a late one back, and landed a guy who’s drawn interest from teams like the Eagles, Giants, and Steelers too. Posts on X say the Patriots even had a better offer but sent Milton to Dallas out of respect for where he wanted to go. That’s a win for team chemistry before he even steps on the field.
The locker room’s got to be feeling this too. Dak’s a leader, and he’ll likely take Milton under his wing. The Cowboys have a knack for building quarterback rooms that click. Look at how Rush thrived here. Milton’s got a chance to grow in a place that values its signal-callers, and that’s half the battle for a young guy like him.
Looking Ahead
So where does this leave Dallas? They’ve still got the draft coming up, and Stephen Jones has said they might grab another quarterback if the value’s right. But Milton softens that need. They can focus on other holes, like wide receiver or the offensive line, and let him develop. If he shines in camp or preseason, maybe he even pushes Grier off the roster. And if Dak stays healthy, Milton’s just a quiet insurance policy. Either way, the Cowboys are better off today than they were yesterday.
This trade’s got me thinking about the bigger picture. Dallas has taken some heat for overpaying in the past, like with Lance or Jonathan Mingo. But this? This feels different. It’s calculated, affordable, and forward-thinking. Joe Milton might not start a game for the Cowboys in 2025. He might not ever. But he’s here, he’s got talent, and he’s got time. For a team that’s seen how fast a season can derail without a solid backup, that’s a strategic move worth cheering for. Welcome to Dallas, Joe. Let’s see what you’ve got.
