Joe Milton III strengthened his case for the Dallas Cowboys’ backup quarterback job with an impressive three-touchdown performance in a 34-13 preseason victory over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Milton started for Dallas and delivered one of his strongest performances since joining the Cowboys. The quarterback completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 151.4 passer rating and no interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown as Dallas built a commanding first-half advantage.
The Cowboys improved to 2-0 in the 2026 preseason, while Arizona dropped to 1-2.
Beyond the final score, Milton’s performance provided Dallas with another important look at its competition for the backup quarterback position behind Dak Prescott.
Joe Milton III’s Stats vs Arizona Cardinals
Milton made the most of his opportunities during the first half.
| Stat | Joe Milton III |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 9/13 |
| Passing yards | 179 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer rating | 151.4 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 |
| Total touchdowns | 3 |
The Cowboys’ official game recap credits Milton with 179 passing yards, which is the figure used here.
Milton wasn’t sacked during his time on the field, and his combination of deep passing and mobility helped Dallas create several explosive plays.
Cowboys Take Control Early
Dallas’ defense helped create Milton’s first major opportunity.
Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. intercepted Arizona quarterback Gardner Minshew and returned the ball deep into Cardinals territory.
Milton quickly turned the takeaway into points, connecting with Malik Davis for an eight-yard touchdown to put Dallas ahead.
The Cowboys quarterback wasn’t finished.
Milton later found Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard touchdown, producing one of Dallas’ biggest offensive plays of the game and extending the early advantage.
Milton Connects With Camden Brown for Huge Gain
Another explosive play followed when Milton moved outside the pocket and connected with Camden Brown for a 70-yard completion.
The play took Dallas all the way to Arizona’s one-yard line.
Rather than throwing for his third score, Milton finished the drive himself with a quarterback draw for a rushing touchdown.
The score gave him three total touchdowns in the first half alone and pushed Dallas further ahead.
The Cowboys eventually entered halftime with a 24-6 lead, helped by Brandon Aubrey’s 50-yard field goal.
Joe Milton Making Strong Case for Cowboys QB2 Job
Milton’s performance matters beyond a preseason victory.
Dallas is evaluating its quarterback depth behind starter Dak Prescott, with Milton competing against Sam Howell for the backup role.
Milton has now produced 286 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown across his preseason appearances, according to the Cowboys.
His performance against Arizona showed more than his well-known arm strength. Milton demonstrated better control of the offense, connected on short and deep throws and avoided turning the football over.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has also highlighted Milton’s growing ability to change the velocity and touch of his passes instead of relying solely on his powerful arm.
Milton Says He’s More Comfortable in Dallas Offense
There may be a reason for the improvement.
Milton has said that when he first arrived from New England, he understood approximately 75% to 85% of the Cowboys’ offensive system. He now believes he has a complete understanding of the offense.
That increased familiarity appeared evident against Arizona.
Milton looked comfortable operating the offense and was able to produce big plays without being sacked or throwing an interception.
However, the Cowboys have not officially named Milton their QB2. His preseason performances have strengthened his case, but the final decision remains with Dallas’ coaching staff.
How Did Sam Howell Perform?
Howell took over at quarterback during the second half.
He completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards but threw an interception in the end zone. He also recorded seven rushing yards.
That created a noticeable contrast between the two quarterbacks on the night.
Milton generated three touchdowns and multiple explosive plays without committing a turnover, while Howell was unable to produce a passing touchdown.
One preseason game alone won’t necessarily decide the competition, but Milton clearly helped his case against Arizona.
Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown Deliver Big Plays
Dallas also received productive performances from several offensive players.
Jonathan Mingo caught two passes for 62 yards, including Milton’s 53-yard touchdown.
Camden Brown finished with two receptions for 77 yards, with most of that production coming on his 70-yard connection with Milton.
Those explosive receptions were crucial to Dallas building its early advantage.
Running back Jaydon Blue also contributed 75 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Phil Mafah scored on a 15-yard run during the fourth quarter.
Cowboys Defense Creates Problems for Arizona
Dallas’ defense also played an important role in the victory.
Revel’s interception helped set up the opening touchdown, while the Cowboys prevented Arizona from matching Dallas’ early scoring pace.
The Cardinals did have opportunities. Several promising plays were affected by penalties during the first half, making it difficult for Arizona to turn its offensive possessions into touchdowns.
Arizona eventually reached the end zone in the third quarter when Corey Kiner scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown, but Dallas remained comfortably ahead.
Joe Milton’s Journey From Tennessee to Dallas
Milton’s strong preseason has also put renewed attention on his path to the Cowboys.
Before reaching the NFL, he played college football at Michigan and later Tennessee. During his Tennessee career from 2021 through 2023, Milton appeared in 29 games and recorded 4,159 passing yards with 32 touchdown passes and five interceptions.
He also contributed 505 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
The New England Patriots selected Milton with the 193rd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He received an opportunity late in his rookie season and helped New England defeat Buffalo 23-16, producing a passing touchdown and a rushing score.
Dallas later acquired Milton from New England in a trade, giving him a new opportunity to develop behind Prescott.
Cowboys Backup Quarterback Competition Heats Up
The preseason is primarily about evaluation, which makes Milton’s performance more important than the Cowboys’ 34-13 final score.
Dallas needs a reliable option behind Prescott.
Milton offers unusual physical tools, particularly his arm strength and mobility, but consistency and command of an NFL offense have been central questions throughout his development.
Against Arizona, he delivered both production and efficiency.
A stat line of 179 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and zero interceptions on only 13 attempts gives Dallas’ coaching staff plenty to consider.
Howell still has an opportunity to compete for the position, and Dallas has not announced a winner.
But after the Arizona game, the QB2 competition has become one of the Cowboys’ more interesting preseason storylines.
What’s Next for Joe Milton and the Cowboys?
Dallas will finish its preseason against the New Orleans Saints on Friday, August 28, before turning its attention toward the regular season.
The Cowboys are scheduled to begin their regular-season campaign against the New York Giants on September 13.
For Milton, the remaining preseason period represents another opportunity to convince the coaching staff that he should be Prescott’s primary backup.
His performance against Arizona certainly helped.
Milton didn’t simply produce impressive passing numbers. He accounted for three touchdowns, generated explosive plays, protected the football and helped Dallas establish a large first-half lead.
Whether that is enough to secure the Cowboys’ QB2 position remains to be seen, but his latest performance has made the decision considerably more interesting.
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