USA Today reporters explain ex-UT Vols QB’s purpose on Cowboys with Dak Prescott’s $240 million on the books after trade

Joe Milton III had a big arm but no chance to showcase it with the Patriots. After leading the Volunteers to an 8-4 finish in 2023, Milton was going to be 2024 No. 3 overall NFL draft pick Drake Maye’s understudy on New England indefinitely.

Now, he’s a member of the Cowboys after Thursday’s swap that also sent a fifth-round pick to the Patriots. Dallas also received a seventh-round pick.

Of course, the Cowboys are paying Dak Prescott $240 million to lead the locker room. Results have varied, but injuries have been a constant for Prescott.

Is Milton going to run into the same problem?

USA Today’s Jacob Camenker and Nick Brinkerhoff explained that Milton isn’t expected to face that problem as Prescott’s “insurance.” There’s a legitimate chance he can play right away, but the plan is to mold Milton into their eventual answer under center.

“The Cowboys are adding Milton to its quarterback room in the hopes of potentially shaping the 25-year-old into a long-term starter. For now, he'll serve as a backup to Dak Prescott and give Dallas some insurance behind their franchise quarterback,” Camenker and Brinkerhoff wrote.

More QB talent filters through the NFL ranks than ever in the modern game. Former collegiate stars like Milton are written off quickly by fans after sitting out a season, but Brett Favre sat out a season, was traded, and then became a star on the Packers.

Stranger things have happened. Brock Purdy is happening in San Francisco as we speak.

Milton was QB1 for Michigan and Tennessee. With the kind of arm talent he has, fixing his accuracy could potentially make Milton a starter-level QB in time.

The Cowboys need better than just starter-level, but this is a start. Prescott’s injury-proneness could thrust Milton into the fire, but he’s already been through it, getting to the league after thriving against Big Ten and SEC defenses.