Cowboys Coach Speaks Out On New QB's Progress

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Joe Milton New England Patriots

The attention of the Dallas Cowboys is currently squarely focused on – at least media wise – attempting to solve both Micah Parsons‘ contract extension dispute, after the All-Pro pass rusher submitted a trade request last week, and the ever-increasing offensive line injury issues the team is currently facing.

However, one bright spot comes from some of the work done by the quarterback – no, not that one. Instead, backup Joe Milton has reportedly been doing some excellent work in the offseason ever since his trade from the New England Patriots back in April, according to his quarterbacks coach, Steve Shimko, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota, on Thursday.

Cowboys QB coach Steve Shimko on Joe Milton: “He’s great fundamentally, his feet are getting better every day as well, but his biggest jump (has been) taking every practice rep like it’s a game, like he could really get hit. That ball’s coming out, he’s finding completions, he’s…

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Cowboys QB Coach Impressed With Milton’s Improvement

After his move to Dallas, much of the critique coming Milton’s way from his old employers, via beat reporters came at the expense of his character. Yet, according to Shimko, he has been taking his role as backup very seriously – and the team have been impressed with his professionalism.

“He’s great fundamentally, his feet are getting better every day as well,” Shimko said on Thursday, via Machota, “but his biggest jump (has been) taking every practice rep like it’s a game, like he could really get hit. That ball’s coming out, he’s finding completions, he’s really running the offense. Instead of just trying to show off his arm, which we all know he has one of the best arms in the world, he’s now playing quarterback. And he’s doing a phenomenal job with that.”

Shimko Happy With Milton’s ‘Very, Very High’ Game IQ

The new Cowboys QB coach also spoke about how whilst many spoke about the ex Patriot’s notorious physical attributes, his ability to learn and his high intellect for the game will be the thing to propel him forward over the next few years.

“He sees the big picture of the game. He’s very good. Seeing new pictures, unscouted looks, that’s where he’s going to keep getting better. A guy like Dak, there’s really no unscouted looks, he’s kind of seen everything that a defense can do. With Joe, it’s just a matter of reps and seeing those different things.”

And Shimko believes that the play has the potential to only get better with each passing year.

“It’s only his second year, but his knowledge and his growth has been amazing. I’m talking to those guys from New England last year to the point where he is now, you can see the work (put) into it and just his IQ in general is very, very high.”

Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas