The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention this weekend with the Philadelphia Eagles winning in Week 16, leaving no meaning to the rest of the Cowboys' season. Despite Dak Prescott having an incredible season, putting up 4,175 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, the team consistently fell flat due to a defense incapable of stopping even the league's worst offenses. This has fans understandably frustrated and already looking ahead to a pivotal 2026 offseason. With this in mind, it is time for Dallas to put Prescott in bubble wrap and give another QB a chance.
Joe Milton was given a start for the New England Patriots a season ago similarily when the franchise opted to protect Drake Maye. The rookie flashed his potential, going 22/29 for 241 yards and a passing touchdown. The performance was impressive enough for the Cowboys to trade for the quarterback ahead of the 2025 season, hoping to have a superior backup plan in case injury struck again for Prescott.
Prescott has had two serious season-ending injuries already in his career headlining why this decision should be made. Not only are you protecting your franchise quarterback, but you're also giving Milton a chance to build on the resume he started putting together last season. Two great games from the second-year player and a thin 2026 quarterback market could all of a sudden generate heightened interest in Milton as a potential trade target.
Cowboys Should Start Joe Milton in Final Two Meaningless Regular Season Games
Even if Milton doesn't take advantage of the opportunity, you know there isn't a future for the young quarterback as a reliable backup. The flip side of this is Milton looking the part of a starting option and giving the Cowboys a needed trade chip going into a pivotal offseason. With the fan base clamoring for the team to re-sign George Pickens, the budget for defensive improvements is likely going to be limited.
Having two first-round picks from the Micah Parsons trade helps, but even better is if the Cowboys can find surprise trade value. Putting Milton on the field gives you this chance and explores exactly what the ceiling of the talented backup might be.
It is important to be clear that in no way does this suggest any interest in supplanting Prescott, who has been far from the problem for Dallas in the 2025 season, rather it is exploring every part of your roster in hopes of finding surprise value. That should be the only goal for a team whose final two games of the regular season lack any true meaning. Putting in Milton at least generates fan interest and gives you an outside chance of finding unknown value.