As flashy as he can be, Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton is – barring injury – no threat to starter Dak Prescott.

FRISCO – In football, the most popular guy in town is always the backup quarterback. But with the Dallas Cowboys, is No. 2 Joe Milton actually posing a threat to the starting job of Dak Prescott?

Fans who apparently know how good Cooper Rush was filling in for Dak are now giddy about the prospects of Milton. There are even some analysts predicting that the Cowboys will have a new starter this season.

All the wild speculation is based on Dak’s nine seasons, but also one single game by Milton. He starred in a meaningless regular-season finale for the New England Patriots in 2024, throwing and running for touchdowns.

At 25 and with dual-threat athleticism, Cowboys fans – and some media – immediately began singing Milton’s praises this offseason. Some of the wildest rumors even predicted the Cowboys would trade Dak to the Cleveland Browns and give the starting job to Joe before a single training-camp snap.

Prescott is in the prime of his career. As the highest-paid player in NFL history, it’s time for him to deliver at the very least a berth in an NFC Championship Game. But is Milton actually threatening to take his job?

“Let’s start with the obvious: Dak Prescott’s job is not on the line,” said ESPN Cowboys analyst Todd Archer. “The Cowboys signed him to an extension through 2028 in September that made him the highest-paid quarterback in the game. There is not an escape until maybe after the 2027 season.”

Prescott is under immense pressure to stay healthy, perform as Top 5 quarterback and lead the Cowboys to multiple playoff wins this season. Flashy as he can be, Milton, however, is not adding to it.