The Dallas Cowboys just made a wild move, waiving quarterback Joe Milton. But hold up, both COO Stephen Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer are already making it clear they want the signal-caller back in the mix, specifically eyeing him for the practice squad. Jones didn’t mince words on the DLLS Cowboys podcast, and Schottenheimer revealed his feelings to reporters during his Tuesday press conference. It’s a classic NFL roster crunch, but the team’s public desire for a guy they just cut is something else.
The Roster Roller Coaster That Got Everyone Talking
Talk about a roller coaster! Milton actually made the initial 53-man roster on Sunday after cuts were announced. But Dallas changed course on Monday, claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. This move shifted everything. Initially, the Cowboys were carrying three quarterbacks: starter Dak Prescott, Milton, and Sam Howell. Before the Demercado signing, it was unclear who’d grab that QB2 spot behind Prescott. Coach Schottenheimer admitted the situation was fluid on Monday, telling ESPN’s Todd Archer, “We’re still piecing the puzzle together, and that’s where this thing is very fluid.”
Howell Won The Job, But Milton’s Numbers Were No Joke
Ultimately, the Cowboys went with Sam Howell as their QB2. This marks a big change from 2025, when Milton was Prescott’s backup. Schottenheimer explained the tough decision to DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer Tommy Yarrish on Tuesday, saying, “I think when we looked at the whole body of work, we just felt like Sam had done a little bit more in terms of executing the offense in certain areas.” He even called it a “very, very hard decision.” Howell, who signed a one-year deal with Dallas this offseason, certainly earned it. But don’t sleep on Milton’s preseason numbers: he completed 29-of-43 passes (67.4 percent) for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Howell impressed too, going 27-of-40 (67.5 percent) for 314 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. It was a seriously tight competition.
What’s Next For Joe Milton As Week 1 Looms?
Even though Howell won the job, the Cowboys’ desire for Milton to return is loud and clear. Schottenheimer made that evident, stating, “To have Joe Milton back would be incredible, we’ll see what happens with the claims, and then see what he wants to do. We’ve shown that we know how to develop him. I think him being in this system for another year would be amazing, but I also know that he should have choices. And so, we’ll see what happens, but in terms of wanting [Milton] back, absolutely.” So, Milton’s got options. With Week 1 season openers kicking off between September 9-14, it’s definitely possible he could land on another team’s 53-man roster. Will he stay in Dallas on the practice squad, or take his chances elsewhere? This is just the start of the regular season, and the drama is already heating up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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