Two games into the preseason, Joe Milton has not performed well for the Dallas Cowboys. Saturday was the latest example, struggling to find anything against the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys allowed Milton to play for most of the game before eventually pulling him in favor of Will Grier. Following the game, head coach Brian Schottenheimer […]
Two games into the preseason, Joe Milton has not performed well for the Dallas Cowboys. Saturday was the latest example, struggling to find anything against the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys allowed Milton to play for most of the game before eventually pulling him in favor of Will Grier.
Following the game, head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked if he is concerned about Milton thus far. He believes the entire offense was the issue, not his quarterback. Getting into any kind of flow was difficult for the Cowboys, especially in the first half.
“I wouldn’t say I’m concerned,” Schottenheimer said via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “We didn’t get in a rhythm. … It wasn’t just Joe.”
Milton wound up completing nine of his 18 passes, going for 122 yards and no touchdowns. An interception can be added on and a frustrating one at that. One play after the Cowboys defense forced a turnover of its own, Milton gave it right back to the Ravens on a deep pass.
In years past, backup quarterback has not been too much of an issue in Dallas. Whenever Dak Prescott could not play, usually due to health, Cooper Rush fit in nicely. His 14 starts over three seasons resulted in nine wins — not too bad of a record considering the situation.
Schottenheimer still has faith Milton is someone who can fill the role nicely. Similar to his first answer, he did not express too much concern.
“I think we have to believe that,” Schottenheimer said when asked about having a trustworthy backup quarterback. “I think we do believe that. … I’m not panicked.”
Milton still has a couple more weeks of training camp to show improvement. One final preseason game remains as well, coming against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. After sending draft capital over to the New England Patriots in exchange for Milton, there is some investment in the second-year player.
At the same time, the Cowboys do not plan on having Milton out there at any point. The hope is for Prescott to remain healthy throughout the entire season. If Milton is seeing the field, the game has already been decided.
However, Prescott’s recent injury history does make the position a relevant one. Milton’s inability to perform in the preseason is causing concern, at least from the outside. At least when speaking to the media, Schottenheimer is not ready to hit the panic button.
Category: Football
