Joe Milton III isn’t walking into Dallas Cowboys
with the fanfare of a first-round pick or the reputation of a long-time veteran, but don’t let that fool you—he’s bringing a rocket arm, a humble confidence, and a chip on his shoulder as big as AT&T Stadium. After being acquired by the Cowboys in a quiet but intriguing trade with the New England Patriots, Milton is already making waves, not with bold proclamations, but with an unshakable belief in his potential and the raw tools that have had scouts buzzing since his college days.
“It’s a blessing,” Milton said during an introductory interview with local media. “To come to a franchise like the Cowboys, to be in this building, to be around these players—it’s everything you hope for when you work this hard. Now it’s time to earn it every day.”
The 6’5”, 235-pound quarterback enters the Cowboys locker room as the new backup to Dak Prescott, following Cooper Rush’s move to the Baltimore Ravens. While Rush was known for his calm, efficient approach, Milton brings a different kind of firepower. And he knows it.
Ask Milton how far he can throw a football and his face lights up—not out of arrogance, but pure joy.
“Eighty-five,” he said with a grin. “Eighty-five yards. On a good day, maybe a little more if I’ve got the wind behind me. But it’s not just about how far I can throw it. It’s about what I do with that arm—being smart, being accurate, making good decisions.”
That cannon attached to his right shoulder has never been in question. In fact, it’s become almost mythical. During pre-draft workouts, Milton wowed scouts with throws that looked more like home run balls than passes—60-yard lasers on the run, 70-yard flicks off his back foot. Videos from Tennessee practices and combine sessions went viral, showing the kind of arm strength that only a handful of quarterbacks in the world possess.
But Milton is quick to downplay the theatrics. He’s more focused now on control, learning, and growth.
“Arm strength is cool,” he said, “but in this league, it’s not enough. You have to process fast. You have to be smart with the ball. And you have to be ready when your number’s called, no matter what the situation is.”
Joining a team led by Dak Prescott presents a unique opportunity for the 24-year-old. Prescott is one of the NFL’s most respected quarterbacks—a two-time Pro Bowler, a leader in the huddle and the locker room, and someone who has weathered the highs and lows of playing under the brightest spotlight in football.