Imagine being a quarterback in the NFL, patiently waiting for your shot while a star like Dak Prescott shines. That's Joe Milton's reality with the Dallas Cowboys, and Week 18 against the New York Giants could be his moment to truly step into the spotlight. But will he be ready?
The Cowboys have definitively stated that Dak Prescott will be the starting quarterback against the Giants. But here's where it gets interesting: the question isn't if Prescott will play, but how long. It's highly unlikely he'll play the entire game, which strongly suggests that Joe Milton, the team's second-year quarterback, is poised to get some significant playing time. Milton himself hasn't been given any concrete promises about his playing time, but he's mentally prepared for whatever role he's assigned.
"Just be ready," Milton stated, emphasizing his approach for Sunday's game. "I think that was the plan every week." He elaborated on how joining the Cowboys has been a pivotal step in his career. "Coming here was a different status for me. When I say status, I mean it's a different gameplan. I get more reps than I did when I was at the Patriots last year. I moved up in the NFL level as far as the quarterback positions and as far as my knowledge."
While Milton has seen limited action this season, usually coming in to relieve Prescott when the game's outcome is already decided, he emphasizes that the real growth happens on the practice field. "I get the practice reps, that's what practice is for. Practice makes perfect," Milton explained. "I just try to command my huddles and command the offensive line and line of scrimmage in practice so by the time the game comes, it's second nature."
And this is the part most people miss: the most valuable lesson Milton has learned this year hasn't necessarily been on the field. "Patience is virtue," Milton declared when asked about his biggest takeaway from the season. "I feel like if you don't have patience, you won't make it in this league, because you never know. Especially with somebody like Dak in front of me, you'll never know. If you don't have patience, you'll probably burn yourself out in this facility and in this job." This highlights the mental fortitude required to succeed as a backup quarterback in the NFL.
That patience is coupled with a constant responsibility to be prepared, as opportunity can knock at any moment in the fast-paced world of the NFL. "I prepare the same thing every week," Milton said. "I plan as if I was going to play. [QBs coach Steve Shimko] does a great job of making sure that I send my script in, the game script in with my plays that I've got dotted up every week… I don't think this week will be any different from the previous team and that last week, so just stay ready, you never know."
Milton also acknowledges the crucial role of Dak Prescott and the coaching staff in his development during his first year with the Cowboys. "Dak's been doing a great job of helping me," Milton said. "Just staying in it, staying in the loop, coaches do a great job of giving me small reps here and there just to make sure I know what's going on. And they always quiz me in the meeting room."
So, what exactly does Prescott want to see from Milton if he gets the chance to play against the Giants? "Just command, from the moment he takes the field, just him commanding the huddle," Prescott stated. "All of the presnap, everything, just want it to be super clean presnap and then just come out of this game happy with the performance that he put on from himself… He's been developing all year long, so I know he's going to go out there and have a great game, I just want him to be happy with his performance." Prescott is looking for confidence and crisp execution from his backup.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoes this sentiment, albeit with a slightly different focus. "I want to see him move the football," Schottenheimer said. "I know that's a silly statement, but I want to see him move the football, man. That means executing and having the command and the pace of operation is really important to us. The way we get up to the line of scrimmage and orchestrate things and solve problems, that's all part of playing quarterback…" He added, "We've seen him do it in flashes, we see it every day in practice, it's really impressive. But doing it on cards is different than doing it out there." Schottenheimer wants to see Milton translate his practice performance into tangible results on the field.
The Cowboys will travel to East Rutherford on Sunday, and this game could present Milton with the most significant regular-season playing time of his young career with Dallas. Will he seize the opportunity? Will he showcase the patience and preparation he's been honing all season?
Here's a thought that might spark some debate: Is it more important for a backup quarterback to demonstrate potential for the future, or to simply execute the game plan effectively in the present? Some might argue that showcasing raw talent is essential, while others prioritize a steady, mistake-free performance. What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments below!
