If you’ve been watching the Dallas Cowboys lately, you know the quarterback room looks a little different than it did during the Cooper Rush era. The answer to who is the backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys right now is Joe Milton III.
Honestly, the way this roster shook out is kind of wild. Most fans got comfortable with Cooper Rush being the "reliable" guy who could step in and win a few games if Dak Prescott’s thumb or calf gave out. But things changed fast in 2025. After the Cowboys moved on from both Rush and Trey Lance—the latter of whom headed to the Chargers—they took a swing on the massive arm of Joe Milton III.
The Current State of the Cowboys QB Depth Chart
As of January 2026, the depth chart is pretty straightforward, even if it feels a bit thin. Dak Prescott is obviously the guy, especially after throwing for over 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns this past season. But right behind him, it’s the Joe Milton show.
Basically, Milton is the guy Jerry Jones and the front office decided to gamble on. They traded a seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots for him before the 2025 season started. New England had drafted him in the sixth round in 2024 but didn't see a path for him behind Drake Maye. Dallas saw it differently. They wanted that "dual-threat" potential that Trey Lance was supposed to provide but never really did in a Cowboys uniform.
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Who is Joe Milton III?
If you haven't seen him play, the first thing you'll notice is the arm. The guy can throw a football through a brick wall. He’s 6’5” and about 245 pounds. He looks more like a linebacker than a quarterback until he uncorks a 70-yard bomb without breaking a sweat.
- College: Tennessee (by way of Michigan)
- Draft: 2024, 6th Round (New England)
- Playing Style: Huge arm, mobile, but historically a bit inconsistent with accuracy.
We actually got a real look at him in Week 18 against the New York Giants. The game didn't mean much for the standings, so Mike McCarthy pulled Dak at halftime. Milton went 7-of-13 for 73 yards and a pick. Not exactly Hall of Fame numbers, but it was "Joe Milton hours" in New Jersey, and it gave the scouts enough to chew on heading into the 2026 offseason.
Why Cooper Rush and Trey Lance Are Gone
You might be wondering what happened to the old guard. It’s a fair question. Cooper Rush was basically a folk hero in Dallas for a minute there.
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Well, Rush ended up signing with the Baltimore Ravens (and had a brief stint mentioned with the Giants in some reports, though his 2025-2026 contract is largely tied to a veteran backup role elsewhere). The Cowboys reached a point where they needed to get younger and cheaper at the backup spot.
Then there’s Trey Lance. That was a high-profile experiment that just... fizzled. Dallas declined his fifth-year option and eventually let him walk. He’s now out west with the Los Angeles Chargers, trying to rebuild his career behind Justin Herbert. For the Cowboys, it was a "swing and a miss" as some analysts put it. They traded a fourth-round pick for him and didn't get a single meaningful regular-season snap in return.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Backup Role in Dallas
There is this idea that the Cowboys backup just needs to be a "bus driver." You know, someone who won't lose the game. That was the Cooper Rush philosophy.
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But looking at how the 2025 season went—where the Cowboys finished 7-9-1—the philosophy seems to be shifting. By keeping Milton, they’re looking for a "ceiling" play. They want someone who can actually create big plays with his legs and arm if Dak is out, rather than just checking the ball down to CeeDee Lamb and hoping for the best.
The 2026 Offseason Outlook
Right now, the roster is in a bit of a transition. On January 12, 2026, the team made some practice squad moves, including deleting Will Grier from the active rotation. This leaves Milton as the undisputed QB2 for now.
However, don't be shocked if Jerry Jones looks for a veteran in free agency this March. Milton is still a mystery. One bad half against the Giants doesn't define him, but it also doesn't scream "franchise savior" if Dak hits the IR.
What you should do next:
If you're tracking the roster for your fantasy league or just want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the March 15 roster bonus deadlines. That's usually when we see if the Cowboys are sticking with their current path or if they're going to bring in a veteran to push Milton for that backup spot. You'll also want to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. Even with Dak locked in, Dallas has a history of taking "developmental" flyers on QBs in the late rounds.
Check the official Cowboys transactions page weekly through February, as that's when the "reserve/future" contracts get handed out to the guys who will be competing for the QB3 spot in training camp.