FRISCO, Texas — There is no truth to the story that Joe Milton III asked the Dallas Cowboys for his release, Todd Archer of ESPN reported Monday, citing a source.
Dallas waived Milton earlier Monday as the corresponding move for the Emari Demercado waiver claim. The club plans to add him to the practice squad if he clears waivers, Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reported. Archer posted his report about an hour after the move was announced.
Milton had made the initial 53-man roster Sunday alongside Dak Prescott and Sam Howell. Dallas kept three quarterbacks, one more than most clubs carry.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer took questions at The Star before Monday’s practice, with the move still unannounced. The staff was still working through film and numbers on the backup job.
“At the end of the day, we just feel like the competition’s not completely settled, and we need to work through that,” Schottenheimer said. “And it’s, we’re constantly ripping through numbers and video and film and, it just, at the time we’re not ready to make the decision.”
Joe Milton III And The New England Patriots Trade
Milton previously pushed for a move. He informed his agency after his rookie season that he wanted to leave New England, claiming he wasn’t given a fair opportunity and that he only counted his reps over 16 games on one hand.
New England drafted him 193rd overall in the sixth round in 2024, the same draft in which it took Drake Maye third. Milton started the New England Patriots‘ finale that season, a win over the Buffalo Bills, and completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards with 1 touchdown while running for another.
In April 2025, the Patriots traded Milton and a seventh-round pick to Dallas for a fifth-rounder. Although New England had a more lucrative offer, they chose to move him to his preferred team, as Milton mentioned that his family had been Cowboys fans growing up.
What Happens Next
Milton has not reached vested veteran status in his third season, so he goes on waivers rather than free agency. Another club can claim him and his contract before Dallas gets the chance.
Dallas signed 13 players to the practice squad Monday, which filled 12 of the 16 standard spots and left four open.
Milton’s 2025 regular season came to four appearances, with 15-of-24 passing for 183 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. He threw for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions over three preseason games this summer, completing 29 of 43 passes and also scoring a rushing touchdown.
Howell holds the backup job behind Prescott. Dallas has 13 days until the opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
