Cowboys’ Joe Milton Talks ’90-Yard’ Arm, New Nickname and Goal in Preseason Debut at Rams originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton has had a seriously good training camp, with the former New England Patriots prospect often flashing during practices. … using his 6-5, 240-pound frame to throw and run and do gymnastic backflips … just for the heck of it.
Now, Milton is gearing up for Dallas’ first preseason game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams, which will be the best test yet to measure how he has developed this offseason. … Because doing well in practices is one thing, but to do it in a game, under the lights – even if it is preseason – is another thing entirely.
Joe now will get that chance – and he has a perfectly clear goal when it comes to what he hopes to achieve when he gets on the field to open the preseason.
“Just be the best version of myself,” Milton said. “”That’s my goal every day, just do what I know how to do, what I know how to do best, that’s just play football, get the guys around me happy, excited, and involved.”
That seems simple enough for Joe, and one the Cowboys believe the young quarterback to navigate. Dak Prescott has been pleased with how his No. 2 guy Milton takes every rep in practice like it is a live-game scenario, while head coach Brian Schottenheimer – also pleased – has detailed that he wants Joe to get through his progressions a little quicker.
Milton, the former sixth-round pick acquired in a cheap trade this offseason, spoke this week about his ability to sling the ball “90 yards” and also responded to the idea that he’s got a “bazooka” for am arm (which is why we lean toward “Bazooka Joe” as his nickname) by saying, “Nah … a rocket.”
So … “Rocket Joe”? OK.
Anyway, there is plenty to look for in the Cowboys’ first preseason game, and Milton has an opportunity to show how much he’s developed under the watchful eye of Schottenheimer and the offensive staff.
We get the sense he will see the majority of the snaps, so “Bazooka Joe” … er, “Rocket Joe” … will have a lot of runway as he looks to solidify his standing as Dak’s backup heading into the 2025 season.
Related: Cowboys Announce Micah Parsons ‘Expectations’ for Week 1 at Eagles
Related: Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer Confirms Micah Parsons ‘Conversations’
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
