Cowboys waive QB Joe Milton

The Dallas Cowboys have officially released quarterback Joe Milton III from their roster. The roster move designates Joe Milton III as a waived player, making him available to other teams across the league. This change occurs as the team finalizes its depth chart for the upcoming season, shifting the personnel balance within the quarterback room to secure a designated second-string option. Coverage of this development is widespread across primary sports networks. NFL.com and ESPN both report that Sam Howell is now the designated QB2, placing him directly in line to back up starter Dak Prescott. ESPN specifically attributes the naming of Sam Howell as the backup to internal sources.

Further reporting from NBC Sports and Bleacher Report confirms the waiver of Joe Milton III, with Bleacher Report expanding the discussion to explore potential landing spots for the quarterback within the current NFL free agency market. To understand the significance of this move, it is necessary to look at the established hierarchy of the Cowboys' quarterback position. Dak Prescott remains the starter for the team. The competition for the backup role has now been resolved in favor of Sam Howell. The decision to waive Joe Milton III suggests the organization has prioritized the skill set or fit of Howell as the immediate alternative to Prescott. This transition marks a definitive shift in the team's tactical approach to their backup quarterback needs before the start of the regular season.

Moving forward, the primary focus will be on which NFL team claims or signs Joe Milton III. Bleacher Report is already tracking the top landing spots for the player in free agency. Additionally, observers will be monitoring Sam Howell's performance and integration as the official QB2. While the Cowboys have clarified their depth chart, the movement of Milton throughout the league will provide further insight into how other NFL franchises value his capabilities as they refine their own rosters in the final stages of the preseason.