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The Dallas Cowboys have entered the NFL offseason with notable transitions throughout the football organization from head coach to players, and one addition stands out ahead of the 2025/26 campaign - Joe Milton, who is gunning for Dak Prescott's job.
With Brian Schottenheimer stepping into the role vacated by Mike McCarthy after the team slipped to third in the NFC East, he has already set about making changes to the roster and that includes the quarterback spot.
Milton, picked up from the New England Patriots, is expected to initially serve as back-up at the AT&T Stadium but his work ethic is positioning him as a serious competitor in Dallas to the team's $240m 31-year-old starter.
The youngster has impressed coaches during organized team activities (OTAs) by dedicating additional time to build chemistry with the Cowboys' reserve receivers, including Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Brooks.
And although limited by collective bargaining agreement (CBA) restrictions that minimize offseason reps for young players, the 25-year-old, picked 193rd in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been taking matters into his own hands.
Working directly with fellow backups outside of team-mandated activities allows him to grasp the playbook more efficiently, whilst also elevating his status as a serious QB2 contender as the behind-the-scenes workouts impress coaches.
Milton mirrors Prescott
This comes at a particularly sensitive time for Prescott, who is recovering from a hamstring injury that had ruled him out from Week 9 of the 2024/25 NFL season. It's not the first time he's been hurt either.
With Jerry Jones desperate to bring a Super Bowl title back to Arlington, could Dak find himself under pressure if his health proves inconsistent once again? Or if his form wavers in the NFL Playoffs?
Though Milton is not yet a threat to Prescott's starting job, he is putting himself in position to earn long-term trust from the coaching staff; especially important in a league where injuries can suddenly elevate a backup to the forefront.
And he is doing more than just working hard too, he's absorbing the nuances of Prescott's game such as his trademark "here we go" call. While the vocal delivery lacks the same command, the intent is clear: Joe is studying the veteran closely.
Milton brings elite physical tools to Dallas. His arm strength and athleticism were highly praised during the pre-draft process, and those traits remain evident during offseason training with a cannon arm that could be a great asset to George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
His transition to the Cowboys gives him a fresh opportunity in a system now under the guidance of Schottenheimer, who is known for developing quarterbacks with versatile skill sets, but can he go beyond expectations by displacing the big fish?