Insider confirms suspicion about Joe Milton's future with the Dallas Cowboys ahead of 2025 NFL season

When the Dallas Cowboys traded for quarterback Joe Milton, it was suspected their intention was for him to back up Dak Prescott. But as a developmental player with much work to do before becoming a viable player at the NFL level, it was unclear whether he'd be the No. 2 right away or if he would end up resembling Trey Lance's path, where he never quite climbed the depth chart. 

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, that suspicion is confirmed as Milton is "clearly" the top backup two weeks into Cowboys OTAs.

"He's clearly the number two because Will Grier is really not getting but a handful of snaps when he's out there, and that's usually with the threes," Archer said on 105.3 The Fan. "So they're setting this up for Joe Milton to be the backup."

Milton's practices have had ups-and-downs as you would expect from a player like him but it is early in the process. Since he came out of college, Milton has been perceived by the NFL world as someone who has top-tier arm talent but accuracy and decision-making problems. In other words, he's a high-upside player with a low floor. 

We're still a long way from knowing if the Cowboys will make him work or not but at least we know he's putting in the work.

"We talked to him today at his locker, and he was saying all the right things about learning from Dak and how impressed he's been by Dak and his leadership," Archer added. "First one in, last one out—all the stuff that he does. And you know, you hope for a little osmosis there."