“I really have to pinch myself that we got him (Joe Milton III) after the last game that he had up there, starting there for New England… I’m just excited that we had a chance to get him. And he hasn’t disappointed. He’s actually — we’re just more and more encouraged by what we’re seeing,” Jerry Jones said, via Kristi Scales of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

In his debut against the Rams, Milton delivered a solid performance by completing 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards. He recorded one touchdown and one interception over nine drives. Demonstrating his versatility, he also rushed for 22 yards on five carries, finishing with a passer rating of 68.6%.

While not being hailed as a blockbuster signing, if he can improve his level, he could become one of the team’s most valuable additions. With Dak Prescott as the starting quarterback, Joe Milton III is positioned to take on the role of backup to the 32-year-old veteran. Given Prescott’s extensive injury history, the youngster could see more playing time than expected.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott praises Joe Milton III’s big improvement since joining the team

Although franchise owner Jerry Jones praised him, Joe Milton III faced heavy criticism for his debut performance against the Rams. Fans and analysts alike accused him of playing slowly and seeming out of sync with the team’s system. However, veteran quarterback Dak Prescott stepped up to commend the young player and offered a brief analysis of his evolution since his arrival.

“Something I push him [to do] is just playing every play and every snap like it’s a real game… Whether it’s throwing it away or getting to the next play or getting to the next read. I think [Thursday] was actually one of his best days… He ran a lot of plays out there, and it may not have been something you guys write about, but they were very much on the time clock… He’s grown a lot,” Dak Prescott said, via ESPN.

As Milton prepares to begin his second year in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are optimistic that the young player will continue to develop alongside veteran Dak Prescott. He might not be ready to step up as the starting quarterback just yet, but he is poised to evolve. Even the head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledges the significant promise he holds, despite the inevitable mistakes that come with inexperience.

What stood out in this situation was the reaction of the former Volunteers quarterback upon learning that, starting this season, he would be joining the team with the Star on its helmet. While many thought he might compete with Drake Maye for a spot in Foxborough, his path for this new campaign ultimately leads him to the NFC East.

“Was I surprised? Yes,” Milton said of being moved, via the team website. “I kind of woke up around, like, 7 o’clock, to a call and I knew I was getting traded.” Despite his initial impressions about moving to Dallas, the former New England Patriots QB expressed excitement about what lies ahead.

“The only thing I could have done, well, the only thing I did at that moment was to thank God,” Milton added. “Coming here was a blessing. I didn’t know it was going to be here. … I didn’t know where I was going to end up.

“I was just thankful to go to work. [But now I’m] back in the heat, for one. He allowed me to play in the dome, for two. And, three, it’s America’s team. Also, it’s just great to learn from someone like Dak.”

The internal competition within the Cowboys

Joe Milton III’s arrival in Dallas highlights a quarterback room where, although the Week 1 starter is clear, healthy competition is welcomed. The former Tennessee Volunteer joins Dak Prescott and Will Grier, ready to contribute to the first team from day one.

“It’s great, man,” Milton said. “We all have three different games, you know? Dak brings the most experience to the room and Will has been around football throughout his whole life. And then you’ve got me, whereas I didn’t grow up with a quarterback coach.
I just happened to be so athletic, and I bring extra tools.

“I learned along the way and I’m able to do certain things. So, putting it all together, we just shape one another as quarterbacks. It’s just great. We feed off of each other.“

In a recent conversation with the press, the quarterback drafted by the New England Patriots and recently added to Jerry Jones‘ team, hinted at his excitement about teaming up with Prescott and the significance of that opportunity.

“It’s great, he’s a great person,” Milton said of Prescott, via the team’s website. “This is my second time meeting him, so just being around him I feel the great energy that he brings and just willing and look forward to learn from him and really compete.”

The former Tennessee Volunteers player arrived in the NFL in 2024, after being selected by the Patriots in the 6th round of the draft with the 193rd pick. In his league debut, Milton finished 22-of-29 for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns in his team’s victory over the Bills.

Milton III’s message to Dak Prescott

The arrival of the former Vols QB to the Cowboys brings healthy competition in the quarterback room, which is, of course, led by Dak Prescott as the starter.

With his recent arrival to the franchise, Milton III sent a clear message to Prescott, letting him know that he will work hard to earn a spot, while also expressing how excited he is to join a historic team in the league.

“My family grew up a Cowboys fan. My mom always had a Cowboys shirt on. She always talked about them. Living in Texas has been a longtime dream of mine. And now I’m with them. I’m ready to work,” former Patriots QB said during an interview with Jordan Schultz.

It will be up to the newly appointed coach Brian Schottenheimer to ultimately decide who his trusted man will be on the field, although early indications suggest that Prescott holds the edge heading into Week 1.

Tennesseehad an amazing 8-0 start in the season with wins against top rivals likePittsburgh,Florida, LSU or Alabama. Then,Georgia, the reigning champions, ended that amazing streak. Even after that, theVolswere still alive in the race for the playoffs and, maybe, theNational Championship. However, with only two games remaining in the season, disaster arrived.South Carolinapulled a major 63-38 upset and the dream was over forTennessee.They finished 10-2.

Even though the playoffs are gone for Tennessee, the 2022 Orange Bowl is a great opportunity to send a strong message to the nation and maybe finish as a Top 5 ranked team. Nevertheless, in a shocking turn of events, the Volunteerswon’t have their best player on the field. Read here to find out why quarterback Hendon Hooker is not available.

Why is Hendon Hooker not playing for Tennessee vs Clemson in the Orange Bowl?

Hendon Hookertore the ACL of his left knee when Tennessee lost against South Carolina on Week 12. It was a crushing day for the Vols.They were oficially eliminated from the playoffs and their starting quarterback was ruled out for the rest of the season.

That’s why Hendon Hooker won’t be available for Tennessee to face Clemson.Joe Milton III gets the call in what will be his second start. He came in as a substitute in the final quarter against the Gamecocks and played in the last game of the season, a 56-0 win over Vanderbilt.