Joe Milton Throws 2 TDs in 34-13 Cowboys Win as Playbook Mastery Fuels QB2 Push

Q: If Dallas gambles by sending their explosive preseason star to the practice squad, which rival NFL team is waiting to steal him away?

The most obvious team to watch is the **New England Patriots**. Milton came to Dallas from New England in a 2025 trade, and if the Cowboys try to sneak him onto the practice squad, any team can claim him for its 53-man roster. The Patriots would make sense as a poaching threat because they already know his skill set, arm talent and developmental profile. That risk is part of why Dallas’ quarterback decision is tricky. ESPN’s Todd Archer projected Milton as a possible practice-squad candidate because Sam Howell offers more experience and command behind Dak Prescott. But Milton’s preseason breakout against Arizona — two touchdown passes, a rushing score and 179 first-half yards — only increases the chance that another club would put in a claim. No reporting in the material names a single team that is definitively “waiting” to take him. Still, based on the available evidence, New England is the clearest rival suitor if Dallas exposes Milton to waivers or leaves him vulnerable via the practice-squad route.

3 articles · Updated · DallasCowboys.com · Aug 23

9-of-13 passing for 179 yards and two touchdown throws, plus a 2-yard rushing score, powered Joe Milton in the first half of Dallas' 34-13 preseason win over Arizona.
Milton said a full grasp of the Cowboys' playbook—up from roughly 75%-85% after last year's trade from New England—has made him far more comfortable commanding the huddle and adjusting the offense.
Two explosive plays drove the outing: a 53-yard touchdown to Jonathan Mingo and a 70-yard gain to Camden Brown that set up Milton's rushing score.
Brian Schottenheimer said Milton has put together "two really good halves," leaving Dallas' staff to keep weighing him against Sam Howell for the backup quarterback job.
Through two preseason halves, Milton has totaled 286 passing yards and four touchdowns, with Dallas returning to Frisco before closing the preseason Aug. 28 against New Orleans.