Cowboys Make Surprise Move, Waive Joe Milton

The Dallas Cowboys made one of the more surprising roster moves of the 2026 offseason Monday, waiving quarterback Joe Milton III just one day after initially including him on their 53-man roster.

Milton had spent the offseason competing with Sam Howell for the backup quarterback job behind Dak Prescott. After a strong preseason, many expected Milton to remain in Dallas and potentially enter the season as Prescott’s primary backup. Instead, the Cowboys elected to move on from the young quarterback while making room for running back Emari Demercado, whom Dallas claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs.

The decision was especially surprising because Milton performed well during the preseason. In three preseason games, he completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also rushed for 14 yards and added a rushing touchdown.

Despite Milton’s performance, Dallas ultimately chose Howell as the backup to Prescott. Howell brings starting experience to the Cowboys after starting all 17 games for Washington in 2023. He signed with Dallas during the offseason and competed with Milton throughout training camp.

Milton’s departure does not necessarily mean his time with the Cowboys is over. Because he was waived rather than immediately released as a veteran free agent, he must go through the waiver process. If he clears waivers, Dallas could attempt to bring him back on its practice squad.

The move could also create an opportunity for Milton elsewhere. His combination of size, athleticism and a powerful arm has continued to generate interest around the league, and teams searching for quarterback depth could view him as an intriguing developmental option.

For Dallas, the decision represents a difficult roster choice as the Cowboys prepare for the regular season. Milton showed enough during the preseason to make the move unexpected, but the Cowboys ultimately prioritized their roster needs and chose Howell as Prescott’s backup.

Now, Milton will wait to see if another team claims him or if he gets an opportunity to return to Dallas on the practice squad.