The Dallas Cowboys have a competition going for the backup quarterback position behind Dak Prescott.
Joe Milton III just took a huge step toward it on Saturday in a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Milton went 9-13 for 179 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for a score, too.
He clearly outplayed fellow backup quarterback Sam Howell, who had 7-10 passing for 65 yards and an interception. Howell also rushed for seven yards on one carry and took a sack.
Milton’s performance had social media raving and unofficially crowning him the backup to Prescott, though that’s the coaching staff’s prerogative in a matter of weeks. The former Tennessee standout has been with the Cowboys since 2025 after a trade with the New England Patriots.
“Joe Milton always had a cannon,” one fan wrote via X.
That fan included a video of Milton launching a 53-yard touchdown pass to Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo in the first quarter. Milton’s first touchdown pass came on an 8-yard connection to running back Malik Davis.
One fan called Milton “RB1,” and it was fitting since Milton rushed for a touchdown on a 1-yard career in the second quarter. After all, Milton has been known as a running threat in addition to his big arm.
More Joe Milton III Reaction
Milton’s performance had a fan pointing out the improvements by the third-year quarterback.
“So much more touch to his passes this year,” the fan wrote via X. “Looks patient instead of trying to prove to everyone he can throw. Comfortable being in the pocket as much as he is outside the pocket.”
One fan had a bold prediction amid Milton’s performance, besides being the frontrunner for the backup job.
“Joe Milton will be the Cowboys starting QB in 2028,” a fan wrote via X. “Two more seasons for Dak and if he doesn’t win a SB, they move to Milton and let Dak go finish his career elsewhere.”
For now, Howell will need to step up as Milton gained serious ground in the backup quarterback competition.
Joe Milton III’s Starting Potential
Much chatter emerged over Milton’s potential as a starter in the NFL amid his performance on Saturday. That went both ways.
“Joe Milton has played really well, but I still think we’re a ways away from him being ready to start in the NFL imo,” one fan wrote on X in reaction to another over saying Milton could replace Prescott someday. “There are obvious flashes, but Sundays are a lot different than what we’re watching right now.”
Another fan chimed in via X that Milton “could and should be a starter somewhere” in the league. That said, Milton really has a ways to go.
He has never started an NFL game in five career game appearances. Milton has a completion rate of 69.8% amid 37-53 passing for 424 yards and two touchdowns versus two interceptions. His rushing looked promising in that span with 15 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown, but again, the sample size is small.
Whether or not he beats out Howell is in question from an experience standpoint, too. Howell has 18 career starts with 4,139 yards passing and 22 touchdowns versus 23 interceptions, and he has 300 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 54 career carries.
Cowboys Backup QB Battle Has Everyone Sayin The Same Thing