DALLAS — Joe Haden does not understand why the Dallas Cowboys waived Joe Milton III, the former Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback said Monday on Deebo & Joe, the podcast he co-hosts with James Harrison.
Dallas placed Milton on waivers Monday afternoon as the corresponding move for its claim of running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs. Milton had made the initial 53-man roster the day before alongside Dak Prescott and Sam Howell. The Cowboys were carrying three quarterbacks into the season. Most clubs carry two.
The New England Patriots drafted Milton in the sixth round in 2024, 190 picks after taking Drake Maye third overall. Dallas sent a fifth-round pick to New England in April 2025 for Milton and a seventh-rounder. Milton is in the third year of a four-year rookie contract worth $4,203,316, of which $183,316 was guaranteed, and two years remain on the deal.
Joe Haden Says The Joe Milton III Decision Feels Off
Prescott is the reason Haden wanted the third quarterback kept. Dallas has placed Prescott on injured reserve twice since 2020, most recently on Nov. 8, 2024.
“You got him for a low deal,” Haden said. “He’s actually a really talented quarterback. It feels off. You got Dak. If he gets injured, you have him as a backup quarterback. You got teams that are keeping four and you getting rid of one that actually still has potential to be a starting quarterback. You don’t know.”
Haden played seven seasons in Cleveland and five in Pittsburgh before he retired in 2022. Harrison is a Super Bowl winner with the Steelers and the franchise’s all-time sacks leader. The two host the show Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. CT.
James Harrison Points Back To Tony Romo And Dak Prescott
Prescott took over as the Cowboys’ starter in 2016 after Tony Romo hurt his back in a preseason game at Seattle. Dallas went 13-3 that season and won the NFC East.
“Jerry Jones, he don’t give a flip about your feelings,” Harrison said. “Hey, don’t forget, Dak got the job because Tony Romo got hurt. Tony Romo got hurt, Dak went in there and played well, and Romo never got the job back. He said Dak got a good hand and we’re going with it. That was his public statement.”
“He talks publicly about his players,” Harrison continued. “He would criticize them and all that, including Dak.”
Preseason Numbers Behind The Roster Decision
Across three preseason games this summer, Milton completed 29-of-43 passes for 378 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He carried 12 times for 14 yards and a touchdown. Through four regular-season appearances for Dallas in 2025, he went 15-of-24 for 183 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions.
Howell holds the backup job now. He has 18 career starts, all with the Washington Commanders in 2022 and 2023, and he has made two regular-season appearances since. Howell is due a $2 million base salary this season.
Joe Milton III Is A Free Agent After Clearing Waivers
Milton cleared waivers Tuesday afternoon and is a free agent, eligible to sign with any club. Claims were due at 3 p.m. CT, and none came in on him or on the two years left on his rookie deal.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday at The Star that Dallas wanted Milton back on the practice squad, and that the club would add a different quarterback there if Milton signed somewhere else. Two of the 16 standard practice squad spots are open.
The Cowboys open the regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
