Joe Milton Adjusting to Cowboys’ Offense, Learning from Dak Prescott
OXNARD, Calif. — As Joe Milton enters his second year in the NFL, he’s embracing a fresh start with the Dallas Cowboys. After spending his rookie season as a backup to Drake Maye with the New England Patriots, Milton is now working to get comfortable in Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive system—a system that feels much more natural to him.
“At the Patriots, everything was longer. Everyone had to tell everyone what they were doing, the play calls were long,” Milton explained. “But here, it reminds me more of high school and college—one word equals a whole concept. That makes it easier coming into a new offense.”
Milton arrived in Dallas via trade from the Patriots in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. It was a move he wanted.
“Definitely, I preferred it,” Milton said. “That was something my team and I worked out. My agent handled most of it. I didn’t have to say or do much.”
Still early in his NFL career, Milton acknowledges he has much to learn. Fortunately, Schottenheimer and quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko have been hands-on, helping him digest the playbook and terminology.
“They’re both super helpful,” Milton said. “It’s like learning a new video game—you need to figure out the controls. That’s how I view learning this offense. It’s about understanding what I can do and how I can fit in.”
Milton brings elite physical traits to the table, including a cannon arm and mobility. While he expects to show that in preseason, he’s not getting ahead of himself.
“I try to stay present. If you look too far ahead, you miss details,” he said. “Right now, it’s about improving every day and being ready for every meeting and rep.”
Milton evaluated his own performance in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and believes there’s room to grow.
“I’d give myself a C,” he said. “I did well understanding the play caller’s goals and finding completions, but I need to improve. That’s the focus.”
Part of his growth involves refining the little things—reading defenses, mastering calls, and sharpening execution.
“Getting one percent better each day, that’s my motto,” Milton added. “It’s about upping the score, being sharp in meetings, and always coming back prepared.”
Milton has also found a mentor in Dak Prescott, who has gone out of his way to help the younger quarterback transition.
“Dak is a great leader,” Milton said. “He helps me even during meetings, explains things clearly, and goes the extra mile. I’ve been in another building—I know this is different.”
Prescott’s support goes beyond words. During practice, he’s frequently seen pausing plays to check in with Milton or talking through decisions post-snap. That mutual respect has already strengthened their quarterback room.
“Joe’s a blast,” Prescott said. “Whether it’s in meetings or on the field, his energy is contagious. He pushes me to be better, and that’s what we want—competition and camaraderie.”
Prescott also noted that Milton frequently seeks feedback, which he’s happy to give. As training camp progresses and the preseason approaches, the Cowboys hope this duo will help elevate the team’s quarterback play in 2025.
