Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton III just dropped an inspired performance against the Arizona Cardinals, tearing them up by going 9-of-13 for 179 yards and two touchdowns. This dude isn’t just chucking it anymore, folks. Add that to his preseason opener against our very own Seattle Seahawks, where he went 12-of-15 for 107 yards and a score, and you’ve got a seriously efficient signal-caller. TruMedia’s expected points added (EPA) per play pegs Milton as the league’s most efficient quarterback this preseason. Our Seahawks saw a glimpse of this shift already.
The “Carnival” Arm Grows Up
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has seen Milton’s transformation firsthand, and he’s not holding back on the praise. Schottenheimer remembered Milton from Michigan, known purely for how hard and far he could throw. “Cool. That’s awesome. Go be in a carnival somewhere,” Schottenheimer said, cutting straight to the point. He made it clear that NFL quarterbacking is way more than just arm talent. It’s about throwing through tiny windows, arching it over defenders, changing arm slots, and making smart reads. Schottenheimer literally told him to go to a fair and win a teddy bear if all he had was arm strength!
Now, the coach sees Milton “playing quarterback at a high level.” He’s checking down, adjusting to blitzes, and working through his progressions from first to even fourth reads sometimes. Schottenheimer sounds “really, really proud” of the growth, emphasizing that learning never stops for a QB and the only way to do it is to play. It’s clear Milton is putting in the work, and the results are showing up on the field, even against opponents like our Seattle squad in the preseason opener.
Solving Problems and Making “Beautiful” Plays
Milton’s evolution was on full display in that second preseason game. He showed off the new skills Schottenheimer loves, making plays that scream “NFL-ready.” Early on, he coolly sidestepped pocket pressure, stepped up, and then threaded the needle to running back Malik Davis leaking out into the flat for a touchdown. Schottenheimer highlighted how different that play would have been last year: “Honestly, last year this time, on the touchdown to Malik, it’s probably from me to [a nearby reporter], and he probably would’ve blistered it at Malik… He just kind of softened his elbow, and just kind of flipped it and made it really easy for Malik.”
He wasn’t done there. Milton connected with Jonathan Mingo for a deep bomb up the left sideline for another long touchdown, then later scrambled around, keeping the play alive, and found undrafted free-agent wideout Camden Brown for a huge gain. Schottenheimer separately called both of those plays “beautiful.” This isn’t just about a big arm anymore; it’s about a guy who’s learning to truly play the position and making big-time throws that matter.
With Milton shining so bright, the Cowboys’ backup QB battle is definitely heating up. It’s going to be interesting to see how he continues to develop through the rest of the preseason as he keeps stacking these smart, efficient performances.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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