FRISCO, Texas — As you begin your preparation to enjoy the multitude of position battles set to take place within ĂŰĚŇTV' training camp in July, be sure to save some of that rich, buttery popcorn for the QB2 competition — one that no longer features Cooper Rush or Trey Lance, but instead sees Joe Milton as the new face looking to prove himself worthy of the seat directly behind Dak Prescott.
Milton has already begun drawing high praise from head coach and offensive play caller Brian Schottenheimer as OTAs roll along, and with mandatory minicamp next on the agenda, and Milton says the feeling is mutual toward Schottenheimer and the coaching staff.
"The offense can be explosive," said Milton of an offense that now, also features George Pickens playing in tandem with All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb. "I feel like we're taking the right step in the right direction every day. I like the way we approach the days and, the way that we go about the days, we just put our best foot forward, and we've paying attention. We're paying attention to small details and understanding what he's asking us to do."
Having spent his one and only NFL season with the New England Patriots serving as mostly a backup, Milton didn't exactly expect to be traded only one year after being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, however.
"Was I surprised? Yes," he explained. "I kind of woke up around, like, 7 o'clock, to a call and I knew I was getting traded."
He couldn't be more pleased with his landing spot, though.
"The only thing I could have done, well, the only thing I did at that moment was to thank God," Milton said while wearing a trademark smile. "Coming here was a blessing. I didn't know it was going to be here. … I didn't know where I was going to end up.
"I was just thankful to go to work. [But now I'm] back in the heat, for one. He allowed me to play in the dome, for two. And, three, it's America's team. Also, it's just great to learn from someone like Dak."
Speaking of Prescott, Schottenheimer made it a point in one of his recent press conferences to point out that it's not only the All-Pro quarterback who has taken to mentoring Milton at every turn, but also Will Grier, a veteran of both the Cowboys and the NFL who, amid helping to coach up Milton, will also be in direct competition with him in Oxnard.
Milton confirmed Schottenheimer's assessment of the chemistry and closeness of the QB room in Dallas, noting the latter (competition) isn't undermining the former (camaraderie and culture)..
"It's great, man," said Milton, again grinning sizably. "We all have three different games, you know? Dak brings the most experience to the room and Will has been around football throughout his whole life. And then you've got me, whereas I didn't grow up with a quarterback coach.
I just happened to be so athletic, and I bring extra tools.
"I learned along the way and I'm able to do certain things. So, putting it all together, we just shape one another as quarterbacks. 
It's just great. We feed off of each other.
"They help me out a lot, man. Shout out to those two, man. 
Like, respect for sure. No matter what it is, they're willing to help, regardless."
Things will get intriguing in the battle for QB2 when late July and August roll around, and Milton is preparing for what's to come, along with the assistance of everyone involved, and that's all he could hope for as he settles into his Cowboys' uniform.
Having paid his dues in 2024, he's hoping to cash in some invoices in 2025.
