Cowboys HC 'Not Panicked' About Backup QB Job amid Joe Milton, Will Grier Struggles

The backup quarterback spot for the Dallas Cowboys is an important one given the injury history of Dak Prescott, but Joe Milton III and Will Grier have not been particularly impressive during the preseason.

But head coach Brian Schottenheimer was adamant he isn't too worried about the situation just yet.

"I wouldn't say I'm concerned," he told reporters after Saturday's 31-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. "We didn't get in a rhythm. … It wasn't just Joe."

He also said, "I feel like I don't have to decide anything today," when talking about who will get the backup job before addressing whether the Cowboys have a backup they can trust.

"I think we have to believe that," he said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "I think we do believe that. … Joe Milton is in Year 2. I'm not panicked. It's not just them. It's us as coaches, it's the other players, it's all of us. … We're not pushing the panic button. We're pushing the work button."

Milton was just 9-of-18 for 122 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against the Ravens, while Grier was 1-of-5 for 33 yards, zero touchdowns and zero picks. Milton once again got the start and the majority of the playing time, just like he did in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

He was better in that one at 17-of-29 for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Grier ran for a touchdown in his limited playing time.

Schottenheimer may have said he doesn't have to decide on the backup at this point, but all indications are Milton is in the lead given the playing time split. That would also follow since Dallas acquired him from the New England Patriots via trade this offseason and clearly saw something it liked as a collective.

Prescott played eight games in 2024, five games in 2020 and 12 games in 2022, so it's not a stretch to suggest the backup could see meaningful time in 2025. 

Grier has appeared in just two games with zero touchdown passes to four interceptions since he was a third-round pick in 2019, while Milton at least impressed in his one game of action last season by leading the Patriots to a late-season win over a Buffalo Bills team that already clinched a playoff spot and wasn't playing many regulars.

Milton will likely end up as the backup, but Schottenheimer and the Cowboys surely want to see better results with the season approaching.