With Dak Prescott missing extended time for the second time in three years last season, it was important for the Dallas Cowboys to upgrade the backup quarterback spot this offseason.
They did exactly that by trading for high-upside sophomore sensation Joe Milton from the New England Patriots, and he showed a glimpse of his otherworldly potential in Thursday’s joint practice in the form of a jaw-dropping deep ball.
Chris Hanks of KDFW-TV filmed Milton faking a handoff in practice before launching a 75-yard missile deep down the field for a touchdown to Jalen Brooks, which got everybody in attendance buzzing.
Absolute BOMB from Cowboys QB Joe Milton, hitting Jalen Brooks 75 yards in the air during today’s joint practice with the Rams.
🎥 @Chris_Hanks5 @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/w0QWNV8pru
— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) August 6, 2025
Milton was taken in the sixth round by the Pats in the 2024 draft thanks to his outstanding raw talent, which overshadowed his mediocre production in college at Tennessee.
A lot of his skill was on display in Week 18 last season, when he made a lone start for the Pats and went 22-for-29 for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding another TD on the ground.
With Drake Maye firmly entrenched as New England’s new franchise QB, Milton became expendable this offseason, and the Cowboys were wise to snag him in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
There isn’t a quarterback controversy brewing, but this is exactly the kind of development you want to see from Milton, who will have plenty of time and resources to learn and grow as Dak’s understudy.
The deep ball has always been his bread and butter, but he’ll start to really put people on notice once he starts consistently hitting slants and outs as well.
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