The Dallas Cowboys waived quarterback Joe Milton during final roster cuts but re-signed him to their practice squad after he cleared the 24-hour waiver period, coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Friday.
Decision driven by development and roster clarity
Schottenheimer said the team always wanted to preserve clarity at the quarterback position as it finalised the 53-man roster, keeping Dak Prescott as starter and Sam Howell as the primary backup. The coach described Milton’s return to Dallas as welcome news because of the relationships the player has built within the organisation and his familiarity with the system.
“When he informed me he’s coming back, I was elated,” Schottenheimer said. “This is a guy that’s worked his butt off to get where he is, developed the way he’s developed. The talent is so rare.”
Schottenheimer acknowledged that being waived can be disorienting and said Milton responded to the situation by re-evaluating and embracing the opportunity to continue developing in Dallas. The coach also noted that other teams might have been interested in signing Milton to an active roster, but the quarterback ultimately chose to remain with the Cowboys’ practice squad.
How the roster moves unfolded
The Cowboys trimmed their roster to 53 players in the final cut-downs and initially exposed Milton to the waiver wire. The team had been exploring trade possibilities for Milton in the hours before cuts were finalised but did not complete a deal. After the 24-hour waiver window expired with no claims, Dallas signed Milton back to the practice squad.
- Initial 53-man cut: Team reduced roster and kept Sam Howell as primary backup to Dak Prescott.
- Waivers: Joe Milton cleared the waiver period without being claimed.
- Practice squad: Milton signed to Dallas’ practice squad upon clearing waivers.
While the move keeps Milton in the Cowboys’ system, Schottenheimer cautioned there is always a risk another club could sign him off the practice squad to its active roster. He described the quarterback rooms around the NFL as generally crowded, but said Milton’s physical traits — size, speed and arm strength — make him an attractive prospect.
Implications for Milton and the Cowboys
Milton’s return to the practice squad preserves continuity for both player and team. Schottenheimer emphasised that the organisation believes in its ability to develop Milton and was pleased he opted to continue his development in Dallas rather than pursue opportunities elsewhere.
| Event | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Final roster cuts | Sam Howell kept as primary backup; Milton waived |
| Waiver period | No team claimed Milton within 24 hours |
| Post-waiver | Milton signed to Cowboys practice squad |
Schottenheimer said the team had confidence at one point a trade involving Milton might materialise, but when no deal came together the Cowboys elected to risk exposing him to waivers in the hope they could bring him back. The coach said that timeline — waiving Milton on Monday rather than Sunday — ultimately proved to be the correct approach to regain the player on the practice squad.
For now, Milton will remain with Dallas’ developmental group and continue to learn the playbook and the locker-room culture, with the coaching staff expressing optimism about his potential to grow into a more complete player.
