FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys made noise early in free agency by making an aggressive push for a backup quarterback. Dallas traded draft capital to the New England Patriots for a polarizing young prospect in Joe Milton.
Yes, the backup position was going to be a need as owner Jerry Jones saw the writing on the wall that last year’s relievers Cooper Rush and Trey Lance were going to sign elsewhere in free agency.
But no, Milton did not become the immediate second-string to Dak Prescott over night. Dallas still had an experienced college player and practice squad alum Will Grier on the roster.
Milton, with his “bazooka-like” arm talent, was going to have to earn his spot.
So far at OTA practices, it seems he has done just that.
The QB position was a hot topic Thursday after head coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned a “developmental phase” for all the quarterbacks, including 10-year vet and $240 million man Dak.
While that quote about Prescott may have been taken majorly out of context, the bit about Milton applies.
After a rookie season with the Pats that included just one game played – the regular season finale – Milton can be perceived as an unpolished ball of natural talent. The arm power is there, but his cerebral processing and decision-making still needs some work.
He is still growing in all facets of the position, but at practices this week he has flashed major improvements already.
CowboysCountry.com insider Mike Fisher was boots on the ground at The Star in Frisco and noticed that Milton performed well in the majority of backup snaps he took during team drills.
Says Fish: “I went into OTA‘s thinking that Milton was third-string… And maybe he was. But that does seem, in terms of the snaps and rotation… To be changing in a positive way for him.”
Not only did he note that Prescott is moving around almost too nicely after a torn-off-the-bone hamstring injury, but we heard Milton’s willingness to learn from the group and adapt to his environment.
“Yeah, it’s great,” Milton said after practice about the dynamic in the Dallas QB room. “Us three, we have three different games. You know, Dak brings the most experience to the room. And Will, he’s been around football throughout his whole life.
“Then you got me … I bring extra tools and learn along the way … so putting it all together we just shape one great quarterback. We feed off each other, they help me out a lot. Shoutout to those two, man, like respect. For sure.”
Grier did not have as many opportunities in the drills, which leads us to believe the Cowboys staff are shaping this up for Milton to be the immediate QB2.
But as Milton explained, there is a collaborative approach to the entire group that will help each player translate one another’s strengths onto the field.
The Cowboys could turn to Milton sometime this season as Prescott’s recent history of serious injuries lends the belief that anything can happen.
Whenever that may come, Milton will be ready when his number is called. He is proving his case for why he should be the first QB off the bench.
