FRISCO, Texas – On Thursday, the Cowboys acquired Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round selection, as Dallas accomplished their goal of getting younger at the position with a high-upside player to backup Dak Prescott. Even though he only just completed his rookie season, Milton is ready for a fresh start.
"It was great, it's a blessing come true," Milton said of the trade. "That was something that me and my team talked about and was able to get done with the Cowboys, so it's just a blessing to be here."
Milton was the second quarterback that the Patriots drafted last season along with Drake Maye, who was the third overall pick and finished the year as the starter for New England. Milton, a sixth-round pick, used his time to learn about his teammates and grow his own knowledge.
"From my rookie season I grew a lot, football is football at the end of the day, just having fun, enjoying the best thing I can do and that's going out there and just having fun with it and enjoying my teammates, getting to learn people," Milton said. "Here now, I'm a Cowboy now, being able to learn my teammates and get to explore and experience different things with them."
The only playing time that Milton received with the Patriots was in the final game of the 2024 season, where he went 22 of 29 through the air for 241 yards and a touchdown through the air in a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. It was only one game, but he's looking to approach every week he gets from here on out the same way.
"Go out there and execute the way you will if you were in college or high school," Milton said. "And then the way that you prepare, your preparation is very important. Always prepare as if you're the starter and then go out there and execute when your name is called."
The learning process of his new teammates and coaching staff in Dallas is still in the early stages, and Milton hasn't had in-depth conversations yet with Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams. As they all get to know each other, Milton gave some insight into what he's all about on and off the field.
"I'm a cool, calm, collected person," Milton said. "I like to have fun, I'm very passionate about football, play Call of Duty here and there, I like being me. You'll always see me smiling for one, and I'm always going to enjoy my teammates to the best that I can."
One new teammate that Milton has already met is Dak Prescott, a player that he's looking forward to learning from.
"It's great, he's a great person," Milton said of being able to play alongside Prescott. "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 trait that Milton is best known for as a player is his ridiculous arm strength and the velocity on this throws. At the NFL Combine in 2024, Milton threw the ball 62 miles per hour and launched several deep balls north of 70 yards downfield.
How far can he throw the ball now?
"Right now, I probably got 95 for you." Milton said.
