DAL Joe Milton
NFL player. Position: QB. Team: DAL.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: DAL (Dallas Cowboys)
2026 Outlook
Milton enters his second season with the Cowboys as the incumbent backup QB to Dak Prescott. After spending his rookie 2024 season with New England, he was acquired via trade in 2025 and spent the year in Dallas' system, gaining familiarity with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's schemes. Milton has completed 69.8% of his passes with a 90.4 passer rating in limited playing time, showing promising efficiency in garbage time and preseason action. Now competing against free-agent signing Sam Howell for the backup role, Milton's advantage lies in his second year in the Cowboys' system and returning experience at the same position coach level, though his lack of starting experience (never officially started an NFL game) could limit ceiling in emergency situations. (per Cowboys QB2 battle heats up, coach hypes 'fun competition' behind Dak Prescott)
July 6 update: In the 2025 regular season finale, Milton went 15-for-24 for 183 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Scouts noted impressive arm strength on deep completions but flagged pocket presence concerns. While he only played extended snaps in garbage time, the performance showed both promise and room for development heading into the 2026 QB2 competition. (per 2026 Dallas Cowboys position breakdown: Will new QB2 emerge behind Dak Prescott?)
July 10 update: Cowboys continue building long-term QB depth. Dallas was actively interested in acquiring Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby during a potential 2026 supplemental draft, willing to commit a second-round pick. Sorsby ultimately didn't enter that draft, but the Cowboys' strategy shows their focus on securing a developmental QB to eventually succeed Dak Prescott (through 2028). Milton remains in the long-term pipeline alongside recent acquisitions like Ty Simpson (2025 draft) and continued institutional support for QB development. (per Cowboys Linked to Controversial Move for $5 Million 36-TD Quarterback)
Role / Depth Chart
Competing for backup QB role behind Dak Prescott. Split reps with Sam Howell during OTAs and training camp.
Injury Status
Recent News
- 2026-04-27 — Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection (Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection)
- 2026-04-27 — Cowboys post-draft depth chart: How they improved their roster this offseason (Cowboys post-draft depth chart: How they improved their roster this offseason)
- 2026-06-15 — Cowboys' Most Important Starting Competitions to Watch During Mandatory Minicamp (Cowboys' Most Important Starting Competitions to Watch During Mandatory Minicamp)
- 2026-03-29 — Cowboys 2026 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings (Cowboys 2026 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings)
- 2026-06-02 — Ranking college football's top 100 newcomers for the 2026 season (Ranking college football's top 100 newcomers for the 2026 season)
- 2026-03-12 — By adding Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys put backup quarterback Joe Milton on notice (By adding Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys put backup quarterback Joe Milton on notice)
- 2026-04-26 — Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings (Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings)
- 2026-04-09 — One player for all 32 teams who could be traded during the NFL draft (One player for all 32 teams who could be traded during the NFL draft)
- 2026-05-04 — 4 Cowboys position battles after the NFL draft (4 Cowboys position battles after the NFL draft)
- 2026-04-06 — College football spring practice QB battle updates, starter predictions at Alabama,... (College football spring practice QB battle updates, starter predictions at Alabama,...)