The Dallas Cowboys have a new quarterback. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys have acquired New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton in exchange for "late-round draft pick compensation."
Sources: The #Patriots are trading QB Joe Milton to the #Cowboys in exchange for late-round draft pick compensation.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2025
A new backup for Dak Prescott, Milton went 22 of 29 for 241 yards and a TD in Week 18 last year, a New England win. The potential is there. Now, a new home. pic.twitter.com/LA8YAOeUIn
Rapoport later clarified the Patriots would receive a fifth-round pick in exchange for Milton and a seventh-rounder.
Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick, impressed in his one and only start for the Patriots. In a Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills that featured extensive missing starters on both sides, he threw for 241 yards on 29 pass attempts for an impressive 8.31 net yards per attempt.
Milton is a powerfully built, imposing passer listed at 6'5" and 246 lbs, and he demonstrated significant arm strength in his limited reps. Unfortunately for him, the same could be said for the Patriots' 2024 third-overall pick Drake Maye. With Maye's status as a young and upcoming franchise quarterback already secured, Milton simply didn't have a place on the Patriots' roster.
As for the Cowboys, they could use some youth and potential at quarterback. Dak Prescott will be 32 years old before the regular season begins, and he missed nine games last year with a hamstring injury. He also missed five games in 2022 and 11 games in 2020.
Prescott has generally been excellent when available, but entering the season without a credible backup would have been a mistake for the Cowboys. If disaster strikes again, Milton should provide the Cowboys with intriguing upside.
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