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Cowboys' Joe Milton Receives Familiar Jersey Number

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Karseno | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 12:42 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys saw backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance sign elsewhere in free agency this offseason.

Rush had commanded the Cowboys' roster for most of last season once Dak Prescott injured his hamstring. Lance was more of an experimental gamble, but the former No. 3 overall pick never improved enough to win a second-string role. They have moved on to the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively.

For the Cowboys, it didn't take too long for them to find their next potential backup in Joe Milton III. Dallas agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots to acquire the former Tennessee standout QB in exchange for a fifth round NFL Draft pick.

Milton has now received his jersey number as a member of the Dallas Cowboys ... and it may look familiar under center.

Dallas Cowboys QB Joe Milton III (@Qbjayy7) is wearing number 10. Last assigned to Cooper Rush. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/5myFYDWyUn
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) April 9, 2025

Milton will wear No. 10 - the same number Rush wore for the last seven seasons in Dallas.

Through the good and the bad, Cowboys fans saw a lot of No. 10 at quarterback in Dallas. Does this assignment now mean Milton is the immediate heir? Nobody knows.

Last season, Milton played in just one game for New England: the regular season finale. He wore No. 19 in his 2024 rookie season.

Now he ushers in his sophomore campaign with a new team and new jersey number.

It is still unlikely at the moment that Milton gets any substantial playing time this season with Prescott on pace to return for Week 1, but it will be interesting to see Milton's development in his first year in Dallas. He still has three total years on his rookie contract.

Milton possess one of the strongest throwing arms in the NFL - claiming he can fire the pigskin almost from goal line to goal line.

He also is athletic with his 6-5, 250-pound frame. However, he will need some fine-tuning by the new coaching staff of Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams to be as reliable as Rush has been as a backup.

There is a lot for Cowboys Nation to be excited about with Milton's addition. Now we will see if he earns a backup position behind Prescott and gets any opportunity to don his new threads on the field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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