NFL roster cuts are being made, and there was a shocking decision by the Dallas Cowboys under center on Monday.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Joe Milton III has been released by the Cowboys, and has named Sam Howell as the Dak Prescott backup QB.

“Milton, a backup to Prescott in 2025, led the Cowboys on an impressive preseason passing for 29-of-43, 378 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Cowboys coordinators raved about how much he grew in understanding the offense, and his accuracy,” according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

What further contributes to the surprise is that the Cowboys even placed Milton on the 53-man roster initially, as Jon Machota, Cowboys reporter for The Athletic reports. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer stated even as late as an hour before Milton’s release, that the QB battle was “neck-and-neck.”

“The competition’s not over,” Schottenheimer reportedly said, per Machota. “We need to just continue to assess so many positions, but those guys have made it really, really hard on us, and it’s been an awesome competition, and we’re still piecing the puzzle together, and that’s where this thing is very fluid.”

However, with running back Emari Demercado being added off waivers from the Chiefs, the Cowboys needed a spot on the active roster, according to Archer. It’s anticipated that Milton will be a Dallas Cowboy if he goes unclaimed on waivers, just not on the active roster as a practice squad signing per Dallas’ Patrik Walker.

How Did Joe Milton Perform Last Season?

Milton appeared in just four games as Prescott’s backup during the 2025-26 season. Those games saw him 15-for-24 with 183 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. 

Those were less attempts to throw than he got in his lone appearance for the New England Patriots.

As a Patriot during Week 18 in the 2024 season against the Bills, he had one passing touchdown and another on the ground to go along with a 22-for-29 day with the arm. This type of production matched up closely with his days of college play with Michigan and Tennessee, throwing 37 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions and recording 5,353 total passing yards in college. He hasn't received a significant role at the professional level yet but it would seem that the team is big fans of Milton’s cannon of an arm.

Written by

Lakshya