The Dallas Cowboys didn't need a quarterback this offseason. Or, well...maybe they did if the right one was available. Dak Prescott has been quite good in regular seasons, though he sometimes is not so good in the playoffs. He also needs to stay healthier, but as every other season, he should be good to go for the entire 2025 season.
Sitting behind Prescott on the depth chart before Thursday was Will Grier. If Prescott were to get hurt again, trusting a quarterback who hasn't thrown a pass in the NFL since 2019 might not be a smart move. (To make matters worse for Grier, the Cowboys trading for Joe Milton III happened to correspond to Grier's birthday, so that stinks for the quarterback.)
At least now, the Cowboys have a quarterback who might be either a valuable backup for the next three seasons or one who eventually replaces Prescott if the quarterback underperforms or gets injured again. Dallas worked a trade with the New England Patriots for Milton, but all the team gave up was a fifth-round pick.
Grading the trade of Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys
But do not worry, Dallas fans. Jerry Jones' offer for Milton was reportedly not the highest. According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, at least one team made a better offer to the Patriots, but New England wanted to do right by the player and send him to a team he wanted to play for.
Dallas sent a fifth-round pick to New England, and the Patriots sent back a seventh-rounder and Milton. Even if Milton never plays for the Cowboys, the move was still a good one for Dallas. It could become a great one if Milton is forced into playing and does well. That would be a steal for Jerry Jones and his Cowboys.
And that's where the actual value of the trade lies. Dallas might want to replace Prescott before his current deal is up. If he is released or traded next offseason, the Cowboys could break even, but they would also be free of Prescott's immense contract in future years. Milton flashed excellent potential in his one game last season.
If he ends up playing due to Prescott getting hurt or released/traded and has the same kind of regular-season productivity as Prescott, but is even better than Prescott in the playoffs? Jerry Jones will, for once, look pretty brilliant. Either way, Jones is already a winner because he added a quarterback without having to outbid another team.
Grade: B+ (with the potential to be an A+)