How the newly-added quarterback is just what the offense needed.
When the Dallas Cowboys lost Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, it caught a few by surprise. Since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Rush has spent most of his career with the Cowboys with some memorable moments, like his win against the Minnesota Vikings in primetime on Halloween night in 2021. Rush’s departure left a hole for the Cowboys to fill, and with starting quarterback Dak Prescott finishing the 2024 season on injured reserve, the risk of Prescott getting hurt again lingers. While some veteran options were still available on the market, like Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco, Dallas made the wise decision to search for a solution behind Prescott with enticing upside.
Dallas made a great addition after they traded a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Joe Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick. New England reportedly had better offers for Milton, but the Patriots sent him to his preferred destination. Milton chose Dallas where he isn’t an immediate challenger to surpass Dak Prescott, but Milton’s family has an affinity for the Cowboys, and Milton fulfills a “dream” to live in Texas. The trade gives Dallas control of a talented prospect for the next three years. Think of the Trey Lance addition but with a cheaper contract and with a more immediate need. Here’s why the Cowboys got better at backup quarterback and why its a great move by the front office.
In hindsight, it may be hard to come to terms with this, but Cooper Rush was not as good as some would like to note. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story despite the win/loss column looking favorably for Cooper Rush. When Rush saw extended time as the starter in 2022 and 2024, he threw 15 touchdown passes versus eight interceptions. In 2022, his QBR that season was 52.1; last year, it careened to an abysmal 41.0. Last season, he tied a career-low with only six yards per attempt. When you re-examine his win/loss record, some of it was a byproduct of exceptional efforts by the Cowboys’ defense. Ultimately, what Rush was doing was passable but not groundbreaking.
As for Milton, he’s not a proven product, yet his talent is undeniable. Milton’s arm strength is among the best in the NFL despite being in only his second NFL season. He makes it look easy as he casually launches a ball from one end of the field to the other. At the combine, Milton’s throw was clocked the fastest of his peers, coming in at 62MPH.
Dallas’ offense had felt capped by the sum of its parts without Prescott last year. That starts with the quarterback. Rush doesn’t have the type of arm strength to drive the ball downfield and fit the ball in tight spaces with extra zip like Milton does. When you watch the Cowboys with Rush, they are forced to be more methodical partly because of Rush’s limitations and those that extend beyond arm talent. Milton also has some mobility. This viral clip says as much.
Joe Milton with one of the best “plays that didn’t count” of the season pic.twitter.com/NuwGLcLfwD
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 5, 2025
Milton ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and with his build of 6’5”, 235 lbs., he’s got the frame, and physical traits teams covet in not only backups but starting-caliber quarterbacks also. Why New England would part with Milton for a day three pick, including giving up another one to boot, is anyone’s guess.
It’s too soon to tell, but could Dallas develop special packages for Milton in certain instances? Maybe. However, we do know that if Prescott misses games again this season, Milton will give the Cowboys an extra dimension with a team that would likely commit to the run sans Prescott. The addition of Milton makes the Cowboys an interesting watch this preseason as Milton will get plenty of chances to showcase his talents in Dallas. Give a round of applause to the front office that landed themselves a very valuable insurance policy.
