A week ago, Joe Milton was an intriguing preseason storyline. After Saturday night in Arizona, he is becoming something considerably more interesting.
Milton’s second preseason performance was difficult to overlook: 9-of-13 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown, as he led Dallas to a 24-6 halftime advantage. NFL.com described his performance as potentially separating him from Sam Howell in the QB2 competition, while the Associated Press called it another strong effort
in Milton’s bid for the job.
The national conversation around Milton is clearly shifting. And this time, it isn’t just Cowboys observers taking notice. National outlets are increasingly highlighting Milton as a legitimate candidate to win the QB2 job behind Dak Prescott — and some are starting to wonder whether his ceiling might be considerably higher.
Here’s what they’re saying.
Cowboys backup QB opens eyes with preseason performance – Nick Brinkerhoff, USA Today
While Milton has thrived in his preseason action, it’s important to remember that he is still firmly behind Prescott on the depth chart. He will remain there unless an injury forces the star out of action.
If nothing else, Cowboys fans can sleep a little better at night with the belief they have a capable backup behind Prescott. After all, that’s what the preseason is all about – seeing what you have up-and-down the roster.
After the first half in Arizona, the Cowboys might be feeling even better about the quarterback room.
What we learned from NFL preseason games: QB Joe Milton was the star of the night. – Staff, The Athletic
The backup competition between Milton and Sam Howell saw Howell start last week and play the entire first half before Milton played the entire second half. In a dominant win over Arizona on Saturday, those roles were reversed. Milton was outstanding, looking confident and calm in the pocket. His deep ball up the left sideline to Jonathan Mingo was perfect, resulting in a 53-yard touchdown. And he never came close to turning the ball over. Milton finished 9 of 13 passing for 179 yards, two touchdowns and a 151.4 passer rating, and added a short TD run.
Shannon Sharpe thinks Joe Milton deserves a chance to start in the NFL – Zach Ragan, AtoZ Sports
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has been impressed enough by Milton that he believes the former Vol is going to find himself in a starting situation at some point in the not-too-distant future.
“I feel like Joe Milton is going to find himself in a situation like Malik Willis,” said Sharpe. “He could be a starter. There’s ain’t no way in hell you’re going to tell me there’s 32 quarterbacks better than this man.”
As for where Milton could land as a starter? Sharpe says to keep an eye on Cleveland.
“Keep an eye on that Cleveland situation,” said Sharpe.
“He’s going to play himself into a starting job somewhere. I think people have seen enough. You look at the Browns’ situation, I don’t think they’re settled on their quarterback. Whoever wins the job, I don’t think they’re settled.”
Sharpe also pointed out the Pittsburgh Steelers as a team that could be in the market for a quarterback when Aaron Rodgers calls it a career (which is expected to happen at the end of the 2026 season).
Has Joe Milton III separated himself in the No. 2 quarterback battle? – Todd Archer, ESPN
Milton’s command of the offense is so much greater than it was in 2025, and the results have been telling. In two games, he has completed 21 of 28 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a score. He has made the big plays — a TD of 56 yards and a completion of 70 yards vs. the Cardinals — but more importantly, he avoided mistakes.
Milton’s arm strength is unquestioned, but his poise and decision-making have impressed the coaches. Sam Howell has done nothing to lose the job (though that late-game pick with the Cowboys in the red zone against Arizona didn’t help), but the roster gymnastics required by keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster could be too costly when the Cowboys look to fill their spots at wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback.
Joe Milton has strong game, but Cowboys backup QB competition “long from over” – Josh Alper, PFT.com
Brian Schottenheimer credited him with “two good halves” on Saturday, but said the competition remains open.
“This is long from over,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re going back to Frisco, thankfully, get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. You’ve got to give Joe his credit, he’s played really well the past two games, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam as well.”
Milton joined the Cowboys late in the 2025 preseason and said he feels a “major difference” from where he was a year ago. We’ll find out soon whether that difference has been enough for him to secure the backup job.
Milton throws 2 TDs in 1st half, makes case for Cowboys’ backup job in 34-13 win over Cardinals – David Brandt, AP News.
Joe Milton had another good day in his quest to become the Dallas Cowboys’ backup quarterback.
The third-year player — who is battling Sam Howell for the No. 2 role behind Dak Prescott — threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in a second straight impressive preseason effort, sparking the Cowboys to a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.
Milton finished 9-of-13 passing for 179 yards, connecting on a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo and a 70-yard strike to Camden Brown that set up Milton’s 1-yard touchdown run a play later. The play to Mingo was perfectly executed, with the receiver making a double move before Milton hit him in stride down the left sideline.
“This game is about to being able to control the RPMs of the football and throw it with different speeds and touches,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s done that at a very high level.”
Joe Milton states his case for QB2 role – Calvin Watkins, DMN
Milton started the second preseason game and took a lead over Sam Howell for the No. 2 job at quarterback. Milton completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Milton finished with a 151.4 quarterback rating. Milton had six first-half possessions, with four ending in scores. One of Milton’s best throws was a 53-yard touchdown pass down the Cowboys’ sideline on a fade route to Mingo.
Depending on the roster construction, the Cowboys might keep both quarterbacks on the 53. It seems the final preseason game Friday against New Orleans will decide.
‘Bro Is Built Like Cam Newton’: Saints Coach Left in Awe of Joe Milton After Joint Practice With Cowboys – Shubhi Rathore, Essentially Sports
Saints guest coach Nicholas Williams, who is assisting the team’s coaching staff during the preseason, was impressed by Milton’s physical abilities during the practice.
“Just had a joint practice against Joe Milton. Bro is built like Cam Newton and has a cannon for an arm,” Williams wrote on X, replying to former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel.
The trail of appreciation started when ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky suggested that the Atlanta Falcons should trade a late-round pick for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett. Daniel then offered Milton as a better option.
That said, the Cowboys will next face the Saints in the final preseason game. That matchup could give Milton another opportunity to show what he has in store against the team whose guest coach compared him to Newton.
