Joe Milton III has gone from backup to backup after a trade following his rookie season, but he's nonetheless ecstatic to be with the Cowboys as he continues to forge his NFL career, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.

A sixth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2024 draft, Milton was set to sit behind Drake Maye, selected at No. 3 overall during the same draft, for potentially the duration of his rookie contract. He instead made the most of his shot during a start in New England's regular-season finale, flashing enough talent for Dallas to trade for the QB.

"Was I surprised? Yes," Milton said of being moved, via the team website. "I kind of woke up around, like, 7 o'clock, to a call and I knew I was getting traded."

Surprise, notably, does not equal discontent. Milton's feelings are quite the opposite in Big D, where he will be locked in competition with Will Grier for the backup quarterback job behind Dak Prescott.

"The only thing I could have done, well, the only thing I did at that moment was to thank God," Milton said. "Coming here was a blessing. I didn't know it was going to be here. ... I didn't know where I was going to end up.

"I was just thankful to go to work. [But now I'm] back in the heat, for one. He allowed me to play in the dome, for two. And, three, it's America's team. Also, it's just great to learn from someone like Dak."

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