The New England Patriots traded quarterback Joe Milton, 25, to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Milton, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 Draft, has shown he has a strong arm and arrives as a backup for Dak Prescott, the highest-paid quarterback in the league, who has dealt with injuries in recent seasons.

Prescott continues his recovery

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Prescott is still rehabbing after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring tear suffered midway through last season. His recovery will limit his participation at the start of training camp.

“Dak should be ready on time and able to perform both individually and within team drills for most of the offseason. He should also be able to do things within a reasonable risk level during training camp,” said Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys.

Milton's arrival addresses the need for a quarterback after Cooper Rush left for the Baltimore Ravens, leaving Will Grier as the only backup on the roster.

Dallas aims to return to the top

The Cowboys are looking to end a three-decade drought without reaching an NFC Championship Game or competing in a Super Bowl. In 2024, they had a disappointing 7-10 record, their worst since 2020. However, unlike last offseason—when they made the fewest moves in the league—Dallas has been active in free agency this time around.

Along with Milton, they have added cornerback Kaiir Elam and linebacker Kenneth Murray from the Tennessee Titans. They’ve also strengthened their roster with the signings of Dante Fowler, Solomon Thomas, Javonte Williams, Robert Jones, Payton Turner, Jack Sanborn, Miles Sanders, and Parris Campbell.