‘Didn’t Catch Me By Surprise’: Brian Schottenheimer On Philadelphia Eagles Signing Joe Milton Off Dallas Cowboys’ Practice Squad
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that the Philadelphia Eagles signing quarterback Joe Milton III off the Cowboys’ practice squad did not surprise him, and that Dallas is working through names for a new third quarterback.
The Eagles signed Milton to their 53-man roster a day after ruling out Jalen Hurts for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a superficial blood clot. Dallas plays at Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 26, eight days after Sunday night’s game at the Green Bay Packers.
“Yeah, no, I think it’s a great opportunity for Joe. Didn’t catch me by surprise. Everyone’s aware of what’s going on with Jalen. They recognize here’s a young man with incredible talent. And, again, I think the world of Joe,” Schottenheimer said. “And so I’m sad to see him go, but I hope he gets every opportunity.”
What Joe Milton Takes To Philadelphia
Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots, came to Dallas in a trade before the 2025 season. He lost the backup job to Sam Howell in training camp this summer, was waived at final cuts, and returned to the practice squad.
Under league rules, Philadelphia must keep him on its 53-man roster.
Adjust, But Don’t Spin Your Wheels
A practice-squad quarterback can take some of an opponent’s system with him. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will make some changes, but that teams can overdo it.
“Yeah, I mean, this kind of stuff happens all the time. It doesn’t change whether it’s Christian Parker coming here, knowing some of the things that they do. I mean, Jaydon Blue’s up there. Of course, quarterbacks have some stuff that we’ll be aware of and adjust,” Schottenheimer explained. “My experience with that is you can sometimes dive too deep into that and put too much into it, and then obviously we’re aware. So we have changes that we will make for certain things, and sometimes you end up spinning your wheels and go, eh, that really wasn’t worth it.”
Will McClay’s Search For A New Third Quarterback
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons on the Eagles’ staff before coming to Dallas. Schottenheimer said vice president of player personnel Will McClay, along with Stephen Jones and Jerry Jones, is working on a replacement for Milton.
“Yeah, we’re working through names and things like that. We’ll find some. Will’s on it with Stephen and Jerry. But, yeah, we’ll get it figured out,” Schottenheimer said.
Kickoff at Lambeau Field is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 18, on NBC.
