Importance of the Final Preseason Game
FRISCO — Who says the final preseason game doesn’t matter? Definitely not for the Cowboys, who are still evaluating their backup quarterbacks in the hopes of finding a concrete one. That’s why second-year quarterback Joe Milton will start for the third-straight game Friday against the Atlanta Falcons.
When asked why, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was succinct. “Because Joe Milton is a guy we want to find out more about,” he said.
Evaluating Backup Quarterbacks
The Cowboys hoped Milton — a “terrific talent,” as Schottenheimer said — would take steps forward from what he showed during his first season in New England last year. So far, Milton has been inconsistent. Milton is 26 for 47 this preseason with 265 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions.
He’s also led a slow-starting offense that’s led to a significant disadvantage in time of possession, as Schottenheimer pointed out Monday. The Cowboys have lost the possession battle in the first two games against the Rams and the Ravens by a combined 27 minutes and two seconds. The Ravens, in particular, had 32 more plays on offense than the Cowboys last week.
Joe Milton’s Performance
“I want to see Joe after a tough start,” Schottenheimer said of Milton starting on Friday. “He bounced back [during the game] against the Rams, and he was a little more inconsistent this week than he was against the Rams. So I think that’s important, but again, you can learn a lot from practice, as well.”
Milton’s performance will be crucial in determining the Cowboys’ backup quarterback position. With one more start, Schottenheimer hopes to find some answers about Milton’s abilities.
Will Grier’s Situation
Practice, and previous history, is why the Cowboys feel they know enough about the other backup quarterback, Will Grier, at the moment. Grier played a good amount for the Cowboys in the 2023 preseason, back when Schottenheimer was entering his first season as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator.
He completed 76.2% of his passes for 640 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions that season. He was eventually waived after the Cowboys traded for Trey Lance right before the preseason finale. This preseason has been a lighter game load. Grier has only thrown eight passes.
“We’ve been around him,” Schottenheimer said of Grier. “We’ve seen some of the throws, we know his strengths and weaknesses.”
Dak Prescott’s Status
Oh, by the way: One person they don’t need to learn about is starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Schottenheimer confirmed Monday that Prescott wouldn’t play in the preseason finale. He hasn’t played in the preseason since 2019.
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Conclusion
The final preseason game is crucial for the Cowboys, especially in evaluating their backup quarterbacks. Joe Milton will start for the third-straight game, and his performance will be closely watched. With Will Grier’s situation already well-known, the focus is on Milton to see if he can take steps forward and secure the backup quarterback position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Joe Milton starting for the third-straight game?
A: The Cowboys want to find out more about Joe Milton and his abilities as a quarterback. They hope that one more start will help them learn more about him and make a decision on the backup quarterback position.
Q: What is Will Grier’s situation with the Cowboys?
A: The Cowboys feel they know enough about Will Grier, having seen him play in the 2023 preseason. He has only thrown eight passes this preseason, and the team is familiar with his strengths and weaknesses.
Q: Will Dak Prescott play in the preseason finale?
A: No, Dak Prescott will not play in the preseason finale. He hasn’t played in the preseason since 2019, and the team is not planning to have him participate in the final game.
