Team is looking to give Joe Milton ample playing time to evaluate if he will serve as Dak Prescott's backup
Joe Milton's Preseason Struggles and the Backup Quarterback Competition
Joe Milton, the second-year quarterback acquired from the New England Patriots, has had a challenging start to the Dallas Cowboys' preseason games. His performance has been underwhelming and inconsistent, raising questions about his readiness to confidently hold the backup quarterback position behind Dak Prescott.
In two games, Milton has completed 9 of 18 passes for 122 yards with an interception and a sack that resulted in a safety against the Baltimore Ravens. His completion rate stands at 50%, and his play has been described as subpar, with questionable throws and interceptions.
However, the Cowboys' coaching staff, led by head coach Brian Schottenheimer, has decided to give Milton a chance to redeem himself. He is slated to start the final preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, a critical audition that will provide a comprehensive evaluation of Milton's capabilities in real game conditions.
Schottenheimer emphasized that the objective is to "figure out more about Joe" rather than choose him over Will Grier prematurely. The coach is focusing more on understanding Milton's unknowns as a quarterback, such as his accuracy, decision-making, and ability to read defenses.
Regarding competition with Grier, Milton currently holds a comfortable lead for the backup job. However, Schottenheimer's comments indicate that the competition remains open, and no final decision has been made. The coaching staff wants to fully assess Milton’s potential before finalizing the depth chart, suggesting that Grier remains a contender but Milton is the frontrunner for now.
Milton's performance against the Los Angeles Rams highlighted the risk and potential rewards of letting him be the next man up. Despite early struggles due to asking him to come out throwing too aggressively, Milton showed a knack for scrambling or extending plays with his legs during the game. Grier also performed well in relief, running for a touchdown in his one drive.
In his debut for the Cowboys, Milton was 17 of 29 passing for 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and added 22 yards rushing. Schottenheimer noted that Milton has a strong arm, comparing it to that of Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Milton started the 2024 season finale for the New England Patriots, where he completed 75.9% of his passes for 241 yards and one touchdown, and also ran for another touchdown.
As the preseason concludes, the Cowboys are closely scrutinizing Milton’s development but have not ruled out Grier. The backup QB competition remains active, with the coaching staff aiming to make a final decision before the regular season begins.
[1] Dallas Cowboys Official Website - [Link] [2] ESPN - [Link] [3] NFL.com - [Link] [4] Pro Football Talk - [Link]
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