Dallas Cowboys Address Speculation Surrounding Former Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton III Ahead of Preseason Opener.

The Dallas Cowboys have officially addressed growing speculation surrounding former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III as the team gears up for its preseason opener. After weeks of rumors and mounting questions about his role within the organization, the Cowboys have taken steps to clarify where Milton stands — and what his immediate future might look like. For many fans and analysts alike, the announcement offers both confirmation of earlier suspicions and a clearer picture of the team’s quarterback depth chart heading into the 2025 season.

Milton, an undrafted free agent who signed with the Cowboys earlier this offseason, has been the subject of considerable buzz due to his rare combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism. Coming out of Tennessee, Milton was a polarizing figure in the draft process. While some scouts were intrigued by his physical gifts, others pointed to inconsistent decision-making, accuracy issues, and limited production as reasons to be cautious. Despite his raw potential, he went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, ultimately landing with Dallas as a developmental prospect.

Since joining the Cowboys, Milton has spent much of training camp working behind established quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. However, the Cowboys’ coaching staff has been closely evaluating all quarterback reps, especially with a third-string spot up for grabs and the possibility of stashing an intriguing player on the practice squad. In that context, Milton’s performance in camp has been scrutinized more than most undrafted rookies — and now, the Cowboys have revealed their initial decision.

According to team sources and confirmed by head coach Mike McCarthy, Milton will not be elevated into a primary backup role anytime soon. Instead, he’s expected to see extended playing time during the preseason as the Cowboys aim to get a better look at what he can offer in live-game situations. While that may not sound like a firm endorsement, it signals that the Cowboys are intrigued enough to keep him around — at least for now.

“We’re going to give Joe a long look,” McCarthy told reporters after practice. “He’s got some traits you don’t see every day. He’s got a cannon for an arm, he’s a big-bodied kid, and he wants to learn. We’ve got some work to do with him from a processing standpoint, but that’s why these preseason games are so valuable.”

That comment confirms what many around the league had suspected: the Cowboys view Milton as a long-term project rather than an immediate contributor. And while that may temper expectations, it also suggests the coaching staff sees enough potential to invest time and reps into his development.

During practice sessions open to the media, Milton has shown flashes of brilliance — deep balls that seem to travel 70 yards effortlessly, throws that slice through the wind with ease, and scrambles that showcase his athleticism. But those moments have also been accompanied by lapses in timing, misreads of coverage, and overthrows on short-to-intermediate routes. In short, the same issues that plagued him at Tennessee are still present.

That said, Milton’s raw tools remain tantalizing, especially in an NFL landscape increasingly fascinated by dual-threat quarterbacks with elite physical ceilings. The Cowboys, like many teams, recognize that with the right coaching and environment, players like Milton can blossom — even if the process takes time. The success stories of Josh Allen and Anthony Richardson, both of whom overcame early inconsistencies to thrive, have given front offices more patience for unrefined talent.

The team’s decision to give Milton significant preseason snaps is telling. Typically, teams use those opportunities to evaluate fringe roster players, not simply fill time. For Milton, it’s a real chance to prove that he belongs — and potentially earn a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad. According to multiple reports, the Cowboys are planning to feature Milton prominently in their first preseason game, allowing him to run a large portion of the offense in the second half.

That opportunity will be critical. With Prescott entrenched as the starter and Cooper Rush continuing to serve as a reliable veteran backup, Milton’s best chance at sticking with the team comes through either impressing enough to take the QB3 role outright or showing sufficient promise to justify a developmental spot. The Cowboys have carried three quarterbacks before, particularly when they believed one was worth grooming. Whether Milton fits that mold remains to be seen, but the team appears willing to find out.

For his part, Milton has remained humble and focused during camp. In interviews, he’s spoken about his desire to learn, improve, and earn the respect of the locker room. “I know I’ve got a lot to work on,” Milton said. “But every day I come in with the mindset to get better. I’m grateful for the opportunity here and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”

That attitude has not gone unnoticed. Veteran players have reportedly praised Milton for his work ethic and willingness to listen. Coaches have noted his rapid improvement in terms of playbook understanding and communication. Still, the transition from college to the NFL is never easy — especially for quarterbacks with a steep learning curve.

Milton’s story is a familiar one in many respects. Gifted athlete, late-round (or undrafted) status, limited college production, and now trying to fight his way into a league that gives few chances to develop slowly. But what sets Milton apart is the magnitude of his physical tools — which, even by NFL standards, are elite. The Cowboys know that if they release him too early, another team might scoop him up and reap the long-term benefits. That’s the gamble every team faces with high-upside developmental players.

In a broader sense, Milton’s journey represents the eternal tension between traits and production. NFL teams are always trying to strike the balance between what a player has done and what he could become. Milton’s college résumé doesn’t scream future starter — but his arm strength, mobility, and physical profile suggest a ceiling that few possess. That dichotomy is why his status has generated so much interest among fans and insiders.

There’s also a strategic element at play here. In today’s NFL, having a third quarterback who can simulate opposing dual-threat QBs in practice or step in during an emergency can be valuable. Milton’s mobility and arm strength allow him to give the defense a different look during preparation — and that utility alone could justify keeping him on the roster, even if he’s not yet ready to take a real snap.

Of course, none of this means Milton’s spot is secure. The preseason will be his proving ground. If he struggles to move the offense, turns the ball over, or fails to progress from week to week, the Cowboys won’t hesitate to cut bait. But if he flashes the way he has in practice — and does so under the lights — the team may be forced to make room for him in some capacity.

From a fan perspective, Milton has already captured attention. Social media clips of his rocket arm and sideline sprints have gone viral, and many fans are eager to see what he can do in a game. That anticipation adds another layer of intrigue to the Cowboys’ preseason — a time of year typically reserved for positional battles and fringe roster debates. Milton, it seems, has turned what might’ve been a quiet August into a spotlight event.

The Cowboys’ approach to Milton reflects a larger organizational shift. In recent years, they’ve prioritized traits, athleticism, and upside in their later roster decisions. Whether it’s drafting athletic freaks on defense or bringing in raw but talented offensive pieces, the Cowboys have made it clear they believe in their coaching staff’s ability to develop talent. Milton fits that mold perfectly — a high-upside swing who could pay dividends down the line.

Ultimately, what Dallas has done is confirm what many already suspected: they see something in Joe Milton III worth exploring. It doesn’t mean they’re ready to crown him as a future starter, nor does it guarantee he’ll be on the roster come Week 1. But it does mean he’s firmly in the mix, and that he’ll be given a genuine chance to prove himself — starting with the upcoming preseason opener.

For Milton, the path forward is clear. Perform, develop, and stay ready. The physical tools have never been in doubt. Now, it’s about putting it all together. The Cowboys have acknowledged the potential, and in doing so, they’ve opened the door for Milton to write his own NFL story. Whether it ends with a roster spot, a practice squad role, or another opportunity elsewhere, that journey begins in earnest now — under the lights, on the field, and with everything to prove.