Cowboys Chose Extra Roster Flexibility Over Carrying Third Quarterback

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that the team will carry two quarterbacks, one day after waiving Joe Milton III and two days after keeping three on the initial 53-man roster.

Dallas waived Milton on Monday as the corresponding move for its waiver claim of running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs. Dak Prescott and Sam Howell are the two quarterbacks on the roster.

Practice Squad Rules And The 53-Man Limit

Teams may keep 16 players on the standard practice squad. A 17th spot is available through the International Player Pathway program, and Dallas is using it on defensive tackle Adedayo Odeleye.

“I think you always want to have a guy that’s a young guy that you’re developing. It takes time to develop quarterbacks,” Schottenheimer said. “At the end of the day, when you construct rosters and you have the limitations that you have with the 53-man roster, it’s hard. The new rules kind of make it to where it’s like, what’s the point? I get you’re going to protect guys and there’s maneuvers and trades and things like that, but the answer to your question is, you’d always like to have a young guy.”

“Sam’s not old. If Joe comes back, he’s not old,” Schottenheimer continued. “But I think we’ve made it very clear when you’re pursuing championships and we want to win now we’re trying to build the best team possible, and we felt like carrying two quarterbacks was the best way for us to strengthen our roster.”

Brian Schottenheimer On Carrying Three Quarterbacks

Schottenheimer said he could not remember the last time he was part of a staff that carried three quarterbacks into a season, and that the debate ran through Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, and Will McClay along with the coaching staff.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been a part of carrying three. I know it does happen,” Schottenheimer said. “But it’s a physical game. And when you’re in this thing for the long haul, like we are, it does come into consideration. It’s just what you have to decide. And so do you want an extra safety? Do you want an extra pass rusher? Do you want an extra receiver? And so those are all hotly debated conversations that we have with Jerry and Stephen and Will and myself. And I feel great about our roster, but certainly there were some tough decisions made.”

Dallas claimed Demercado, who has 819 career rushing yards across three seasons, on the same day it waived Milton.

“It depends. Each one, each thing is different, Nick,” Schottenheimer said. “You factor all those things in, but like I said, we’re trying to build the best football team to go and beat the New York Giants, and then the football team the next week might look a little bit different when you get ready to play the Washington Commanders. And then we go international and the team might look a little different then. So those are real conversations. So I’m not avoiding the question, but the answer is yes, but it’s case by case.”

Joe Milton III’s Contract And Waiver Status

Milton has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and he has not reached vested veteran status in his third season, so the move sent him to waivers rather than straight to free agency.

Howell signed with Dallas on March 10 on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed, with a $2 million base salary. Washington drafted him in the fifth round in 2022, 144th overall, and he has 18 career starts.

Dallas signed 13 players to the practice squad on Monday and added offensive tackle Wanya Morris and defensive tackle Elijah Garcia on Tuesday, leaving two standard spots open.

Prescott played 17 games last season and threw for 4,552 yards. He has 139 career games and 35,989 passing yards.

Dallas opens the regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.