In a development few saw coming, the Dallas Cowboys appear to be reshuffling their quarterback depth chart in a surprising direction. Despite his elite physical tools and high draft expectations, former Tennessee standout Joe Milton is projected to begin the 2025 season as the Cowboys’ third-string quarterback, behind a familiar face—Will Grier.
With Dak Prescott firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback and expected to be fully healthy in time for training camp, the real intrigue lies in who will serve as his backup. Prescott’s long-time understudy Cooper Rush and the recently acquired Trey Lance are no longer with the team, making the battle for the QB2 slot wide open. The Cowboys made waves earlier this offseason by trading with the New England Patriots to acquire Milton, who was once regarded as a high-upside project thanks to his rocket arm and elite athleticism.
However, according to Athlon Sports insider Mike Fisher, Milton isn’t a lock for the backup job. In his latest 53-man roster projection, Fisher pegs Will Grier—who is still under contract with the Cowboys and has familiarity with the system—as the likelier option to back up Prescott. “The big watch here is who will back him [Prescott] up,” Fisher noted in his May 19 article. “Grier returns to the Cowboys still under contract, but has seen very little time away from the practice squad. He does have familiarity with the building over sophomore stud Joe Milton.”
The news comes as a stunner to fans who had pegged Milton as a breakout candidate. The 6’5″, 235-pound quarterback dazzled scouts with his physical gifts during the 2024 NFL Draft process, boasting jaw-dropping arm strength and prototypical size. But those tools weren’t enough to keep him from falling to the sixth round, where the Patriots finally took a chance on him.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein summed up Milton’s strengths and weaknesses in his scouting report: “Rare physical specimen with the proverbial ‘arm talent to make all the NFL throws,’ but he’s prevented from doing so by a lack of timing, accuracy and touch.” Zierlein went on to note that Milton’s inconsistency, especially on deep balls, remains a major concern.
Despite the skepticism, Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has expressed high hopes for Milton, praising his drive and early commitment to learning the playbook. “I was excited about Joe before we got him,” Schottenheimer shared in a May 21 interview with The Athletic. “When you go into these deals and you’re talking about making trades, we all reach out to people that you know, people that you trust… But from the time he’s been here, the work ethic is incredible. He’s one of the first people in the building. He’s one of the last to leave.”
Even more encouraging is the mentorship role Prescott is reportedly playing in Milton’s development. “It’s been fun for me to watch Dak and Will, but really Dak take a mentorship role with Joe,” Schottenheimer added.
While Milton’s raw talent has never been questioned, the Cowboys seem committed to easing him into the system rather than throwing him into the fire. If Grier does hold onto the QB2 role, it may be temporary—but it’s also a clear message that experience and familiarity still matter in Dallas.
With training camp on the horizon, all eyes will be on this unexpected quarterback battle, one that could shape the Cowboys’ offensive future far beyond the 2025 season.
