Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys: Can he rebound?
Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys is already a talk of the offseason after his trade. The former sixth-round pick from 2022 faces steep odds to secure a stable roster spot. He left the New England Patriots system after limited opportunities, and he has not played since 2024. In 2025, Dallas acquired him but also signed Sam Howell to compete for QB2. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott remains entrenched as the starter, and Drake Maye watches from a distance.
Preseason 2025 showed flashes, yet scouts downgraded his status to QB3 because accuracy concerns lingered. Therefore, Milton must show consistency with the deep ball and reads during camp and preseason games. Eliot Wolf and Dallas evaluators will judge his mechanics closely, and pressure mounts quickly. As a result, this profile examines why Milton’s stock fell and what he must change. We analyze film, roster context, draft history, and trade implications to assess his thin margin for error.
Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys
Since his trade to Dallas in the 2025 offseason, Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys has shown several clear setbacks. The sixth-round draft pick in 2022 has not played in the NFL since 2024. Preseason 2025 hinted at backup potential, but consistency issues emerged. As a result, evaluators now view him closer to QB3 than QB2.
Key performance issues and setbacks since joining the Cowboys
- Accuracy concerns: throws from Milton often lacked zip and precision, especially on intermediate routes.
- Timing and decision-making lagged during preseason reps, which hurt read progression.
- Rust from being out of the league since 2024 affected timing and pocket awareness.
- Deep ball inconsistency reduced big-play upside and lowered trust from coaches.
- Competition heat: Sam Howell arrived to compete for QB2, therefore Milton faces an uphill battle.
- Roster context: Dak Prescott remains starter, while Drake Maye sits in development role.
- Scouting downgrade to QB3 followed limited practice reps and uneven preseason tape.
Eliot Wolf and Dallas evaluators will prioritize mechanics and accuracy during camp. Thus, Milton must fix footwork and timing to regain stock.
Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys — Quarterback comparison
Below is a quick comparison of Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks. It lists draft position, NFL experience, preseason performance, and perceived role. This frames Joe Milton’s competition and roster outlook.
| Player | Draft position | NFL experience | Preseason 2025 performance | Perceived role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Milton | Sixth round, 2022 | Showed backup flashes; inconsistent accuracy and timing | QB3 | |
| Sam Howell | Not provided | Added to Cowboys in 2025 to compete for QB2 | Competing strongly in camp; direct challenge to Milton | QB2 candidate |
| Dak Prescott | Not provided | Established starter; started all 17 games last season | N/A — primary starter | QB1 |
| Drake Maye | Third overall | Rookie development focus | Limited regular snaps; development emphasis | Development/QB future |
Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys paints a clear picture of fragile prospects after the 2025 offseason trade. The former sixth-round draft pick from 2022 must overcome a long layoff. He has not been on an NFL roster since 2024. Therefore, his margin for error is very small.
Dallas enters a subtle rebuilding phase, and Eliot Wolf holds roster control. Dak Prescott remains the unquestioned starter, and the team added Sam Howell to chase QB2. Meanwhile, rookie Drake Maye represents the long-term project. Consequently, Milton finds himself between short-term need and long-term planning.
Competition has tightened in camp and preseason. Sam Howell arrived explicitly to compete with Milton for the backup role. As a result, scouts moved Milton toward QB3 on the depth chart. His preseason 2025 tape showed flashes, but inconsistency followed. Accuracy issues and timing concerns stood out on intermediate routes.
Milton’s biggest technical problems are clear and fixable, but time is limited. He needs cleaner footwork, faster progression reads, and improved deep ball accuracy. Because he missed meaningful snaps in 2024, timing with receivers lags. Thus, coaches will punish poor reads and ball placement.
From a strategic angle, Dallas can afford to be patient, yet it will not wait forever. Eliot Wolf will weigh immediate camp performance heavily. If Milton cannot show steady improvement, the team will favor Howell or allocate reps to Drake Maye. In short, the outlook remains cautiously negative for Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys unless he earns trust quickly.
Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys faces a critical crossroad after the 2025 trade. Accuracy and timing issues cost him trust with coaches. Moreover, missing the 2024 season increased his rust and urgency.
Dallas added Sam Howell and is developing Drake Maye. Therefore, Milton competes for limited QB2 reps. Eliot Wolf will weigh immediate results over potential.
Milton can still improve by cleaning footwork and reads. However, he must show those fixes quickly in camp and preseason. If he fails, Dallas will shift toward Howell or Maye. Ultimately, his future depends on immediate, measurable progress and coach trust.
This analysis appears courtesy of Patriots Report LLC. For updates, visit Patriots Report and follow ZachGatsby on Twitter. Stay tuned as the Cowboys finalize their depth chart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Joe Milton’s draft history and recent team movement?
Joe Milton was a sixth-round pick in 2022. He began with the New England Patriots system. However, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 offseason. He also has not been on an NFL roster since 2024.
Why is Joe Milton struggling with Dallas Cowboys?
Because accuracy and timing issues showed up in preseason, coaches lost some trust. Rust from the 2024 absence worsened reads and pocket feel. As a result, evaluators moved him closer to QB3 than QB2.
How does competition from Sam Howell and Drake Maye affect him?
Sam Howell arrived to compete directly for the backup spot. Meanwhile, Drake Maye remains a long-term development focus. Therefore, Milton faces pressure from both short and long-term options.
Can Milton still prove himself and make the roster?
Yes, but he must show quick, measurable improvement. He needs cleaner footwork, faster progressions, and better deep ball accuracy. If he does not, coaches will favor Howell or allocate reps to Maye.
What are likely next steps if Milton falters in camp?
The team could move him to the practice squad, release him, or pursue a trade. However, any of those outcomes depend on camp snaps and preseason tape. Thus, his margin for error remains slim.