Continuing what appears to be an annual tradition, the Dallas Cowboys have traded for a young backup quarterback on Thursday. After acquiring former first-round pick Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers last off-season, the team found itself with a vacancy as quarterback Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens. In response, the Cowboys returned to the trade market.
Dallas has now acquired quarterback Joe Milton from the New England Patriots in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news first.
Trade: New England is sending QB Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, sources tell ESPN. With Cooper Rush going to Baltimore, Dallas now has a new backup for Dak Prescott. pic.twitter.com/AIVVuvsel2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2025
Milton began his college career at Michigan, where he spent three seasons and started five games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He then transferred to Tennessee, playing three seasons with the Vols, where he became the full-time starter in 2023, throwing for 20 touchdowns and adding seven more on the ground. Although he didn’t frequently see action with the Patriots, he did start in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills, leading New England to a 23-16 victory with a performance of 22-for-29, 249 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.
Given that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has only played all 17 games once in the past three seasons, it’s possible that Milton will see more playing time in Dallas than he did in New England.
