Jordan Mailata might have been speaking for the rest of his Philadelphia Eagles teammates – and the public at large – when discussing his initial impression of quarterback Joe Milton.
"Have you seen his arm?" Mailata asked reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 4. "It is a (expletive) cannon, oh my God."
After taking a moment to apologize for his language, the left tackle went on to describe what made the passer such a singular player at the position.
"You see (the arm strength) on TV. You hear about it when he was going through the draft. But then you see it, and it's a work of art, man," Mailata said.
Since he was a high school football standout, Milton has been known for physical capabilities that differentiate him from even his most gifted peers. But
after spending the bulk of his three-year pro career on the fringes of the league, the 6-5, 230-pound quarterback will get his chance to step into the spotlight Sunday, when he's set for his first pro start against the New York Giants.
Milton takes over for Tanner McKee, who started the past three games after Jalen Hurts was sidelined by blood clots that later moved to his lungs. Under McKee, an already shorthanded and struggling Eagles offense continued to flounder. The attack ranks last in yards per game (265.3) and 30th in scoring (17.1 points per game).
With the team's losing streak extending to six games, Milton is being called on to provide some kind of spark.
"With everything going on, he provides a good light to it," Mailata said of Milton.
Who is Joe Milton III?
From the time Milton started emerging as a highly sought-after high school recruit in Orlando, word began spreading about his arm strength.
As a 16-year-old, he threw a pass 75 yards to win a high-school competition, he said in 2024. At the Manning Passing Academy in 2023, Milton launched a pass more than 70 yards, with a clip of the feat quickly going viral.
For as easy as he made his throws look, though, college was anything but that for the quarterback. He lost his starting job twice – first at Michigan, then again at Tennessee after an injury.
But Milton put himself back into the NFL conversation with his final season with the Volunteers, during which he threw for 2,769 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions. After again showcasing his unique physical tools during the pre-draft process, he was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, who took fellow quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 4 overall pick.
Stashed as a developmental option, Maye didn't see any action until Week 18 of his rookie year, when he took over for Maye after one series and threw for 241 yards in a win over the Buffalo Bills. He delivered a signature moment when he repeatedly evaded rushers as he darted left before uncorking a 48-yard touchdown strike to Kayshon Boutte.
With Joe Milton getting a chance to start it's a good time for us to all remember THE PASS pic.twitter.com/WNYd7j9DRd
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 4, 2026
That performance caught the attention of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who three months later acquired Milton in a trade with the Patriots.
“I really have to pinch myself that we got him after the last game that he had up there, starting there for New England,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas in August 2025. “I’m just excited that we had a chance to get him. And he hasn’t disappointed. ... We’re just more and more encouraged by what we’re seeing.”
But Milton lost the role as Dak Prescott's backup to Sam Howell prior to this season and was waived in late August as part of the team's cutdowns to a 53-man roster. He rejoined the Cowboys two days later, however, when he re-signed to the practice squad.
What Milton can offer Eagles' offense
When the Eagles signed Milton to their practice squad on Oct. 16, one day before Hurts was placed on injured reserve, the move might have largely been an afterthought to some.
Less than a month later, however, he's taking on a starring role for the team at a crucial juncture.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni initially said on Monday, Nov. 2, that he was not entertaining benching McKee. Two days later, news broke of the switch.
Sirianni later chalked up the mislead to a matter of trying to establish a competitive advantage.
"Every second that goes by in a situation like that, that you can hold onto that information as long as you possibly can, is a little less time for the opponent to get ready for the game," Sirianni said Friday, Nov. 6.
With the news out, however, Sirianni went to bat for his new starter.
“He’s talented and been here for a couple weeks now,” Sirianni said of Milton. “Very talented arm, very talented athlete, can process and make decisions out there. Lot of good qualities he has. I like his confidence and everything that he brings, and it’s been fun getting to know him and working with him.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Joe Milton III? Eagles turn to QB with 'cannon' arm strength
