Report: Dallas Cowboys releasing quarterback Joe Milton

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dallas Cowboys are releasing quarterback Joe Milton. Training camp brought a competition between Milton and Sam Howell for the backup role. Howell appears to have been declared the winner, meaning there is a new QB2 in town.

Milton’s time with the Cowboys might not be completely over, though. As ESPN’s Todd Archer points out, Milton would be able to join the practice squad if he clears waivers. So, teams will have an opportunity to claim the quarterback if they please. If not, Milton might be back inside the practice facilities before Week 1.

“Milton would be eligible for the practice squad if he clears waivers,” Archer said via X. “Sam Howell is the No. 2 QB behind Dak Prescott.”

The move for Milton came ahead of the 2025 season. Dallas sent the New England Patriots a fifth-round pick, receiving Milton and a seventh-rounder. A new backup quarterback was needed because the Cowboys saw Cooper Rush leave the organization in favor of the Baltimore Ravens. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones opted to go with an upside project like Milton, who showed flashes toward the end of his rookie season.

Folks in Dallas only got four games of Milton, none of which were starts. He threw for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 24 attempts — completing 15 of those. Every time Milton trotted out there, it was in relief of Prescott, either in a blowout or in a late-season game.

But when Howell signed a contract with the Cowboys that included guaranteed money, Milton was put under a microscope. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer did see the development coming together during camp and in the preseason.

“I first remember hearing about Joe Milton when he was at the University of Michigan and everyone applauded him for how hard and how far he could throw the ball,” Schottenheimer said via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “Cool. That’s awesome. Go be in a carnival somewhere. That’s not what playing an NFL quarterback is. It’s not. … You’re throwing through small windows, you’re throwing over people, you’re changing arm slots. “So to me, arm strength is cool. Go to the fair and win a teddy bear. But you got to play quarterback. And that’s what I think you see Joe learning is he’s playing quarterback. And he’s playing quarterback at a high level.

“He’s checking the ball down. He’s making blitz adjustments. He’s solving problems. He’s reading from his first, second to third, and even fourth progression at times. It takes time. You don’t stop learning as a quarterback. The only way to do it is to play. I’m really, really proud of him.”