A backup quarterback is one of those positions that no one wants to think too much about until it all of a sudden becomes quickly relevant.
But right now, the Dallas Cowboys are in a tough spot. It's not obvious that their QB depth chart behind Dak Prescott is strong enough.
This offseason, Cooper Rush departed for the Baltimore Ravens. In his place, the Cowboys traded for Joe Milton from the New England Patriots.
Milton hasn't been sharp so far in the preseason. He clearly has a big arm, but it hasn't been consistent.
On Saturday night against the Ravens, Milton was 9-for-18 for 122 yards with an interception and a safety. He had started the game just 2-for-8 for 14 yards with both those negative plays.
“I wouldn’t say I’m concerned,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters postgame. “We didn’t get into rhythm offensively. What we did in the first half against the Rams, I think we came out a little bit of a different mindset in terms of trying to run the ball. They got him. They fooled him a little bit on the safety on the third-down there. We were trying to get the ball out of his hand fast. They showed down one side and brought the blitz from the other side, and it just spooked him. He’s got to try to throw that ball away, and his feet were kind of talking to him."
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Behind Milton on the depth chart is Will Grier, who hasn't appeared in a regular season NFL game since 2019.
A reporter asked Schottenheimer after the game if he thinks the Cowboys can win games if Prescott has to miss time.
“I think we have to believe that. I think we do believe that,” Schottenheimer said. “Again, you put a game plan together for these guys. Whether you’re playing with Joe or you’re playing with Will, you’re going to have a plan of how you want to play. Hey, look, Cooper Rush has played in this league for a long time. What we did tonight, it didn’t surprise anybody in the first half. I’ve seen him do that for the last three years. Joe Milton is in year two. I’m not panicked."
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The Cowboys got to see Rush firsthand in his new Baltimore uniform. The former Dallas backup was 20-for-30 for 198 yards and a touchdown, but he did throw two interceptions.
Rush had a 9-5 record in games he started for the Cowboys over the past handful of seasons.
The Cowboys may still have to figure out QB2, because right now, it's a shaky spot.
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