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Patriots gave Milton a choice — he picked Cowboys

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Landon Holifield | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 9:04 PM ET

There’s so much to process at the quarterback position that without at least confidence, even the most gifted physical traits will fall flat.

Joe Milton is working right now to marry the two: The physical and the mental.

Insiders around The Star have consistently echoed one thing since OTAs and minicamp: Milton doesn’t lack confidence. And considering what he’s working with — a cannon arm, elite mobility, and a legitimate SEC résumé — he has every reason to believe he belongs.

But what makes Milton’s arrival in Dallas even more compelling is how it happened. This wasn’t your standard late-round prospect dump. The New England Patriots reportedly gave Milton a choice — they asked him where he wanted to go.

And he chose Dallas.

Even more telling? The Patriots turned down better offers to send him to his preferred destination. A Day 3 pick with no starts, no contract guarantees — and they still did right by him. That should speak volumes about the kind of impression he left behind.

Maybe New England saw the writing on the wall. Drake Maye is the franchise investment. But the locker room can’t be fooled by politics — and no team wants another Romo/Dak or RGIII/Cousins situation.

The 6-6, 240-pound "football gymnast'' with the "85-Yard Bazooka Joe'' arm Milton wasn’t better than Maye. But he was good enough, confident enough, interesting enough to warrant removing that risk altogether.

As for Dallas?

“So excited about Joe,'' said Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. I was excited about Joe before we got him … The work ethic is incredible. The talent speaks for itself … He’s just an exciting young prospect that I think the sky’s the limit for.”

What did Dallas do here?

They just quietly added a developmental quarterback with Josh Allen-like traits, SEC experience, zero pressure, and a front-row seat behind one of the NFL’s most respected leaders in Dak Prescott.

Throw in weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and you might’ve just handed Milton the best possible growth environment in football.

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

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