Cowboys Waive Joe Milton: 3 Key Facts in Bold QB Move
Sep
Cowboys waive Joe Milton after the quarterback delivered one of the strongest statistical performances of Dallas’ 2026 preseason.
Dallas made the move on Monday, August 31, one day after keeping Milton, Sam Howell and Dak Prescott on its initial 53-man roster. Waiving Milton leaves Howell as Prescott’s backup entering the regular season.
The timing made the decision especially notable. Milton completed 29 of 43 preseason passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, but the Cowboys needed an active-roster spot after claiming running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cowboys Waive Joe Milton to Complete a Roster Move
The Cowboys initially included three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Prescott, Milton and Howell. That arrangement lasted only one day.
Dallas claimed Demercado off waivers after Kansas City released the running back. The Cowboys then needed to remove another player from the active roster, and Milton became the corresponding transaction.
The Cowboys’ official announcement confirms that the Demercado claim directly created the need for the move. Dallas’ official transaction tracker also records both transactions on August 31.
That context matters because Milton was not waived following a poor preseason. The move involved the overall construction of the roster and the team’s decision to carry only two quarterbacks on the active list.
Dallas now has Prescott as its established starter and Howell as QB2. Milton must pass through the waiver process before Dallas could consider bringing him back on its practice squad.
Why Cowboys Waive Joe Milton: Three Factors Behind the Decision
The Cowboys have not publicly released a ranked list explaining why they kept Howell instead of Milton. However, three verified factors help explain the decision.
1. Dallas Needed a Spot for Emari Demercado
The immediate reason was straightforward: Dallas successfully claimed Demercado and needed room for him on the 53-man roster.
The Cowboys had entered the post-cutdown period with Javonte Williams, Malik Davis and fullback Hunter Luepke as their listed running backs. Adding Demercado supplied another experienced option after Dallas parted with several backs during roster cuts.
Milton therefore became the corresponding move. That does not necessarily mean Dallas considered him the least talented player on the roster. It means the team decided Howell provided the preferred combination of experience, contract value and readiness for the backup role.
2. Sam Howell Has Considerably More Starting Experience
Howell has made 18 NFL starts, including all 17 games for Washington in 2023. Milton has appeared in five regular-season games across his first two NFL campaigns without making a start.
Howell’s 2023 season was uneven, but it provided experience that cannot be recreated during preseason games. He passed for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns while also throwing a league-high 21 interceptions and taking 65 sacks.
Those numbers reveal both sides of his profile. Howell has operated an NFL offense through a complete season, but ball security and pressure management remain important areas for him.
For a backup expected to enter a game with limited preparation, Dallas may value Howell’s familiarity with regular-season defensive schemes, pressure situations and full-game management.
3. Howell’s Guaranteed Contract Affected the Calculation
Howell joined Dallas on a one-year contract carrying $2.5 million in guarantees. According to ESPN’s report on the quarterback decision, the Cowboys would have remained responsible for his $2 million base salary if they had released him.
The contract alone does not prove that financial considerations decided the competition. However, it made releasing Howell more expensive while Milton could be placed on waivers without the same consequence.
This is why the decision cannot be evaluated through preseason passing yards alone. Roster construction involves performance, experience, contract commitments and positional needs.
Joe Milton’s Strong Preseason Made the Decision Surprising
Milton gave Dallas several reasons to keep him.
Across three preseason games, he completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also recorded 12 rushing attempts for 14 yards and one touchdown.
His most impressive performance came in Dallas’ 34-13 victory over Arizona. Milton completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding a one-yard rushing score.
He demonstrated the arm strength that made him an intriguing developmental prospect after New England selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. More importantly, he appeared increasingly comfortable making reads and operating Dallas’ offense.
Howell also had a productive preseason, particularly in the finale against New Orleans. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns as Dallas erased a 15-point second-half deficit before losing 27-24.
The official preseason passing comparison illustrates how closely the two quarterbacks competed:
| Quarterback | Completions/Attempts | Passing yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Milton | 29/43 | 378 | 3 | 0 |
| Sam Howell | 27/40 | 314 | 3 | 1 |
The Cowboys’ official preseason-finale recap reports that Milton produced 286 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games before adding 92 yards in the finale. Howell entered the final game with 159 yards, one touchdown and one interception before adding 155 yards and two scores.
One NFL.com report listed Milton with 271 yards and two touchdowns, conflicting with the totals published by the Cowboys, ESPN and Reuters. This article uses the club’s official figures, which also align with its individual game recaps.
What Sam Howell Brings as Dak Prescott’s Backup
Howell gives Dallas a backup who has already handled a full NFL starting schedule.
Washington selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. He made one start as a rookie before becoming the Commanders’ starter in 2023. He spent the 2025 season with Philadelphia without appearing in a regular-season game before signing with Dallas.
Howell’s preseason performance showed why the Cowboys viewed the competition as close. He completed 67.5% of his passes, matched Milton’s three passing touchdowns and finished the exhibition schedule strongly against New Orleans.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer described the competition as “neck and neck” before the final decision. Howell and Milton also publicly supported one another throughout camp despite competing for the same position.
Howell now becomes the only quarterback behind Prescott on the active roster. That places greater importance on his ability to prepare each week, master the game plan and provide stability if Prescott has to leave a game.
It does not create a competition for the starting position. Prescott remains the clear starter, while Howell’s job is to keep the offense functional whenever called upon.
What the Move Means for Dallas’ Quarterback Depth
Carrying only Prescott and Howell gives Dallas an additional roster spot for another position, but it also reduces the immediate depth in the quarterback room.
Teams frequently address that issue by keeping another quarterback on the practice squad. A practice-squad passer can participate in meetings, learn the weekly plan and potentially be elevated when necessary.
Milton remains one possible candidate if he clears waivers, but a return is not guaranteed. Other NFL teams can claim him, and Dallas could also choose a different developmental quarterback for its practice squad.
The Cowboys’ decision should therefore be viewed as the beginning of the next roster phase rather than proof that every position is permanently settled. NFL rosters commonly change after the initial cutdown deadline as teams evaluate waiver claims, injuries and practice-squad options.
What Happens Next After Cowboys Waive Joe Milton?
Milton is subject to the NFL waiver process because of his experience level. Another team can claim his existing contract and add him to its active roster.
His preseason production, athletic ability and arm strength could generate interest from teams seeking quarterback depth. However, no destination should be treated as confirmed unless a club announces a claim or signing.
If Milton clears waivers, he would become eligible to negotiate a practice-squad or active-roster agreement. Dallas could attempt to bring him back, but the Reuters report noted that other quarterback-needy teams could also become involved.
For Howell, the next step is more definite. He will prepare as Prescott’s backup and enter the regular season one play away from leading the Cowboys’ offense.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Cowboys’ QB Move
Why did the Cowboys waive Joe Milton?
Dallas waived Milton to create an active-roster spot for running back Emari Demercado, whom the team claimed from Kansas City. The transaction also confirmed Sam Howell as the backup behind Dak Prescott.
Did Joe Milton have a poor preseason?
No. Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also scored one rushing touchdown, making his release surprising from a performance standpoint.
Is Sam Howell officially the Cowboys’ backup quarterback?
Yes. With Milton no longer on the active roster, Howell is the only quarterback listed behind Prescott and is in line to serve as Dallas’ QB2.
How did Sam Howell perform during the preseason?
Howell completed 27 of 40 passes for 314 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His strongest outing came against New Orleans, when he passed for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
How much NFL starting experience does Howell have?
Howell has made 18 regular-season starts. Seventeen came during his 2023 season with Washington, and his first came in the final game of his 2022 rookie campaign.
Can Joe Milton return to the Cowboys?
Yes, but only if the circumstances permit it. If Milton clears waivers, Dallas could attempt to add him to its practice squad. Another team could claim or sign him before that happens.
What does Cowboys waive Joe Milton mean for Dak Prescott?
The move does not affect Prescott’s status as the starter. It means Howell will prepare as his primary backup while Dallas decides whether to add another quarterback to the practice squad.
Final Thoughts as Cowboys Waive Joe Milton
Cowboys waive Joe Milton in a decision that demonstrates why NFL roster choices cannot always be explained by preseason statistics.
Milton produced more passing yards, avoided interceptions and displayed meaningful development. Howell, however, offered 18 career starts, a strong preseason finish and a guaranteed contract, while Dallas needed immediate room for Demercado.
What has been established is clear: Howell will back up Prescott, and Milton must pass through waivers before his next destination becomes known. The next development to watch is whether another team claims Milton or Dallas receives an opportunity to bring him back.