Joe Milton has gotten off to a solid start in his first training camp since being traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He has showcased his arm talent and athletic potential, should the Cowboys ever need to call his name during a game this year.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is impressed with his arm strength and potential so far. He was asked about Milton and chose to compare him to a legendary quarterback that might surprise the NFL community.
Schottenheimer compared Milton to NFL Hall of Famer and elite gunslinger Brett Favre, who Schottenheimer coached during his tenure with the New York Jets.
"When I was in New York, Brett Favre... the arm strength at 40, 41, whatever he was, was incredible," Schottenheimer said about Favre. "Joe [Milton] might have him on distance if I'm being honest with you. Joe might be able to throw it farther, but the RPMs are very close."
While that's high praise for Milton from his head coach, Schottenheimer isn't ready to commit to Milton as the Cowboys' backup quarterback.
"We don't have to decide that today," Schottenheimer shared, coming off Week 1 of the Preseason. "I need to get to learn him as the play-caller. … I'm not going to say who the backup running back is right now, who the backup quarterback is right now, because I don't have to make those decisions yet.
"Our plan all along has been that we need to find out about Joe Milton. Under no circumstance am I panicked or worried about Joe Milton. Joe Milton played really well in the second half. He did some really good things. He calmed down. He figured it out."
Milton still has a lot to prove to the Cowboys' coaching staff before they can commit fully to making him QB2 this year. He is battling with former Florida Gator Will Grier for the backup quarterback job.
Milton went 17-for-29 for 143 passing yards and one touchdown in his preseason debut with the Cowboys. He has shown the potential to be a valuable piece to the Cowboys' roster this season, but he will have to continue to prove he can be QB2 in the Cowboys' next preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday.