What Happened to Joseph Jay Milton III?
Joseph "Joe" Milton III is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. After a college career with Michigan and Tennessee, he was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, later being traded to the Cowboys in 2025. He competed for a backup role in 2026 but was waived and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.
Quick Answer
Joe Milton III is currently a quarterback on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad as of September 23, 2026. He was initially drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft and made his professional debut in January 2025. Milton was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025, where he served as a backup. After competing for the primary backup role in the 2026 preseason, he was waived from the active roster on August 31, 2026, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 2, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Pahokee, Florida
Joseph Jay Milton III was born in Pahokee, Florida.
College Career at Michigan
Milton played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, primarily as a backup quarterback.
Michigan Starting Quarterback
Started the first three games for Michigan in a COVID-19 shortened season, passing for 1,077 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Transfers to Tennessee
Milton transferred to the University of Tennessee to continue his college football career.
Orange Bowl MVP
Became the starting quarterback for Tennessee after Hendon Hooker's injury and led the Volunteers to a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, earning MVP honors.
Full-Time Starter at Tennessee
Started the full season for the Volunteers, achieving an 8-4 record before opting out of the team's bowl game.
Drafted by New England Patriots
Joe Milton III was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Signs Rookie Contract with Patriots
Milton signed his rookie contract with the New England Patriots.
NFL Professional Debut
Made his professional debut for the Patriots in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
Traded to Dallas Cowboys
The Patriots traded Milton to the Dallas Cowboys along with a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Backup QB for Cowboys
Appeared in four games for the Dallas Cowboys as a backup, passing for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Competes for Cowboys Backup QB Role
Competed with Sam Howell for the primary backup quarterback spot behind Dak Prescott during the 2026 preseason, showcasing strong performances.
Waived by Dallas Cowboys
Milton was waived by the Dallas Cowboys from their 53-man roster to make space for a claimed running back.
Re-signed to Cowboys Practice Squad
After clearing waivers, Joe Milton III was re-signed to the Dallas Cowboys' 16-man practice squad.
Current Status: Cowboys Practice Squad
As of today, Joe Milton III remains a member of the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joseph Jay Milton III began his collegiate football career at the University of Michigan, playing from 2018 to 2020. He transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2021, where he gained significant attention for his powerful arm strength. A key turning point in his college career came in 2022 when he stepped in as the starting quarterback after an injury to Hendon Hooker, leading the Volunteers to an Orange Bowl victory and earning MVP honors. He continued as Tennessee's starter in 2023, finishing with an 8-4 record before opting out of their bowl game.
Milton was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, a pick acquired through a trade involving quarterback Mac Jones. He signed his rookie contract in May 2024 and began the season as the third-string quarterback. Milton made his professional debut on January 5, 2025, in the Patriots' season finale, where he impressed with 241 passing yards and two touchdowns in a victory over the Buffalo Bills.
However, his tenure with the Patriots was short-lived. On April 3, 2025, Milton was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. This move reportedly aimed to avoid potential locker room friction with fellow 2024 draft pick Drake Maye in New England. During the 2025 season with the Cowboys, Milton appeared in four games as a backup to Dak Prescott, throwing for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Heading into the 2026 season, Milton competed with Sam Howell for the backup quarterback position behind Dak Prescott. He showcased his arm strength and potential during the preseason, completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions across three games, along with a rushing touchdown. Despite a strong preseason performance, the Cowboys made a surprising move on August 31, 2026, waiving Milton from the 53-man roster to make space for a claimed running back. He cleared waivers and was subsequently re-signed to the Dallas Cowboys' 16-man practice squad on September 2, 2026, where he remains as of September 23, 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joseph Jay Milton III made different choices?