Cowboys Embattled Backup QB Torches His Haters With 8-Word Burn

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Joe Milton III had something to say to his critics.

Dallas Cowboys potential backup quarterback Joe Milton III is fighting for his job, and will get one final chance to win a spot behind starter Dak Prescott on Friday night, when Milton gets his third and final start of the preseason.

The Cowboys host the Atlanta Falcons in the final game for both teams before Dallas kicks off the first official NFL game of 2025 season on Thursday night, September 4, against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Everything Riding on Friday Game For Milton

Will Milton still be on the Cowboys roster by then? Will he be relegated to the practice squad, or cut from the team altogether? Or will he have beaten out seven-year journeyman Will Grier for the No. 2 Cowboys QB role behind Prescott?

After two occasionally encouraging but often frustrating performances against the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, those questions are likely to get their final answers on Friday against Atlanta.

But sometimes it seems that the odds are stacked against Milton, who has repeatedly had to prove himself to critics who say that his exceptional, raw physical talents and frequent SportsCenter-worthy plays are outweighed by his shortcomings in executing the fundamentals of playing quarterback in the NFL.

Milton’s Rocket Arm Draws Criticism

One persistent criticism of Milton has been that, due to his cannon-like arm which one expert called “in the mix for the strongest I have ever evaluated,” Milton’s passes lack “touch” and that he simply throws the ball too fast and too hard for receivers to handle.

In his lone career regular season appearance, for the New England Patriots against the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 last season, Milton fired off the second-fastest pass ever recorded by an NFL quarterback, nearly 62 mph.

Milton Has 8 Words For Haters

But speaking to reporters after Thursday’s final practice session of the Cowboys’ training camp, Milton finally addressed his critics — dismissing in eight words the complaints of any receivers who gripe that he fires the ball with too much velocity.

“You shouldn’t be in the NFL getting paid,” Milton declared, as quoted by CBS Sports.

Actually, Milton had plenty more to say to his critics beyond his eight-word message, claiming the does not throw the ball too hard at all.

Milton Clears Air Over Throwing Ball ‘Too Hard’

“Let’s clear the air, I don’t understand why people say I throw the ball so hard,” Milton said. “I’m literally not throwing the ball hard. It just comes off my hand like that. I was born and blessed that way. If you think I’m throwing the ball hard, then you shouldn’t be in the NFL getting paid.”

Milton did receive some positive feedback for pass made in practice earlier this week that showed “touch,” placing a ball in the arms of receiver Deuce Vaughan.

“That was a a tight window that required a perfect throw,” reported Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. “Milton did it.”

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier this week, per CBS Sports, that Milton’s problems in the preseason have come less from his velocity than from the use of his feet, which still needs work.

“Some of his missed throws were a little bit more of his footwork got a little sloppy,” Schottenheimer said. “There were a few times where his footwork was off a little bit. He was a little bit ahead of the route, so he was kind of waiting. Then, he felt late, so then he wanted to drive it in there.”

Jonathan Vankin JONATHAN VANKIN is an award-winning journalist and writer who now covers baseball and other sports for Heavy.com. He twice won New England Press Association awards for sports feature writing. He was a sports editor and writer at The Daily Yomiuri in Tokyo, Japan, covering Japan Pro Baseball, boxing, sumo and other sports. More about Jonathan Vankin