When the New England Patriots traded quarterback III to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round pick, they likely didn’t anticipate that they might be handing over the future successor to Dak Prescott.
Prescott missed eight games last season after undergoing hamstring surgery, which opened the door for Cooper Rush to step in. Now that Milton is in Dallas, fans and analysts alike are wondering if history could repeat itself.
Since the deal was finalized in April, the Cowboys have found themselves at the center of league-wide trade speculation. Interest intensified after Milton appeared to outperform Prescott during the team’s first open OTA session. Ric Butler of RockyTopInsider called Milton’s showing “an experience” marked by dramatic highs and lows—enough to get the NFL buzzing.
How Soon Could Milton Take Over in Dallas?
Milton is currently sitting behind Prescott, but pressure is building from those who believe he deserves a shot. Prescott, for his part, has supported Milton and emphasized his focus on winning a Super Bowl. Milton has expressed excitement about working with Prescott, calling him a “great person.”
Still, there can only be one starting quarterback, and Milton is determined to earn the job. With Prescott recovering from a major injury and still unable to deliver postseason success, questions about his long-term future in Dallas are mounting.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report named the Cowboys one of the NFL’s most likely sellers at this season’s trade deadline. He suggests Prescott’s injury, age, and failure to reach the Super Bowl could push Dallas toward major changes.
“Entering his age-32 season and coming off a hamstring injury that could lead to further decline, Prescott might be steering the Cowboys further from a title,” Kay warned. “With ownership hungry to return to championship contention, a full-scale roster shakeup could be on the horizon.”
Did the Patriots Make a Costly Mistake?
Conor Ryan of Boston.com reported that the Patriots dealt Milton partly because he was outspoken about wanting to challenge rookie Drake Maye for the starting role. Milton was also reportedly viewed as a “locker room issue.” If Maye struggles in his second season and Milton excels in Dallas, New England could regret the move deeply.
Given Milton’s eye-catching OTA performance, head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots may already be second-guessing their decision. The team has been searching for a true Tom Brady successor for five years. If Milton emerges as a star in Dallas and all the Patriots got in return was a fifth-round pick, it could go down as one of the franchise’s most regrettable blunders.
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