The Dallas Cowboys made one of the most surprising quarterback calls of the preseason when they released Joe Milton and moved forward with Sam Howell as Dak Prescott’s backup. Milton had turned heads with a strong preseason run, posting eye-catching numbers and showing real progress in Dallas’ offense from his first year to his second. Still, the Cowboys chose Howell, and Brian Schottenheimer explained why during his press conference.
Schottenheimer said the decision came down to the total picture and Howell’s edge in experience. “I think when we looked at the whole body of work, we just felt like Sam had done a little bit more in terms of executing the offense in certain areas,” Schottenheimer said.
“To have Joe Milton back would be incredible, we’ll see what happens with the claims, and then see what he wants to do. We’ve shown that we know how to develop him.
I think him being in this system for another year would be amazing, but I also know that he should have choices. And so, we’ll see what happens, but in terms of wanting [Milton] back, absolutely.”
That door may still be open. Milton went unclaimed on waivers, and both Stephen Jones and Schottenheimer have made clear they want him back in the building, potentially on the practice squad. Jones discussed that possibility on the DLLS Cowboys podcast, while Schottenheimer repeated that interest to reporters on Tuesday.
The Cowboys also made another move aimed at strengthening their backfield, bringing in Emari Demercado. He already knows offensive coordinator Klayton Adams from their time together, and that connection mattered right away.
Adams called Demercado as soon as the trade became official, and the player said the fit felt immediate. “Klay’s my guy,” he said of Adams.
“As soon as my agent called me and told me it was Dallas, I just immediately thought about Klayton. And then he called me.
I’m super excited to work with him again.
There was also some familiar Cowboys commentary from Michael Irvin, who argued the franchise has 10 more years to keep its “America’s Team” label meaningful. “There’s some credence to what they’re saying,” Irvin admitted.
“We cannot remain America’s Team if a whole generation of Americans never see us in a championship game. And in 10 more years - the bible calls 40 years a generation - we would have missed a whole damn generation.
So the time is now.”
On the offensive line side, Broderick Jones sounded energized about his new setup with the Cowboys, especially knowing exactly where he’ll play. He said the team has made its plan clear by locking him in at right tackle, and he’s ready for it.
“I’m pumped up, man. I’m just pumped up, you know?”
he said. “They made it clear where they want me.
I just gotta do my part and show up.”
Dallas’ roster decisions weren’t limited to the quarterback room. CBS Sports pointed to the Cowboys favoring players who can help right away instead of more developmental options, with running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah among the cuts.
Both were outworked in camp and preseason by Malik Davis, whose case was strengthened by his value on special teams. Davis handled punt protector duties at times last season and contributed in other phases as well.
In Other News...
Cowboys Just Sent A Tough Message To Jaydon Blue And Phil Mafah
The Cowboys backfield picture got a little clearer, and a little more crowded, after roster cutdown day. Dallas waived Jaydon Blue and Joe Milton, with the expectation that Milton could be brought back on the practice squad if he clears the rest of the league, while Blue and Phil Mafah did not end up being retained on the practice squad after going unclaimed on waivers. The move left the team looking to shuffle its depth at running back rather than keep everyone in the building.
Brian Schottenheimer said the decision on Blue was tied more to how other players performed than to any lack of effort from the rookie. Dallas also added Israel Abanikanda to the practice squad, giving the Cowboys another running back option to join four others already there. For Blue and Mafah, it was a tough reminder that even in a crowded camp, a roster spot is only as secure as the last practice and the last evaluation. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Saw Another Failed D-Line Bet End Quietly
The Dolphins have picked up defensive tackle Mazi Smith for their practice squad, a quiet landing spot for a player who entered the league with plenty of expectations. Smith, a former first-round pick by the Cowboys, was released by the Jets after a brief stay and now gets another chance to stick with a team that is looking for depth along its defensive line.
For Dallas, it is another reminder of how far the former top pick still has to go after three NFL seasons with limited production. Smiths path has already included a move out of New York and into another roster-building project in Miami, and the next step will be whether he can turn a fresh opportunity into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Cutdown Choice Is Raising Questions After One Strong Summer
Cutdown weekend brought the usual churn, but the Cowboys still managed to leave some eyebrows raised with a few of their roster calls. Quarterback Joe Milton was among the most surprising names to go, especially after a preseason that seemed to strengthen his case, while rookie offensive tackle Drew Shelton stuck around as part of the final mix. Safety Julius Wood was also cut in the reshuffle, and Miami wasted little time claiming him off waivers.
For Dallas, the moves fit the broader reality of a roster that had to be trimmed, but they also invite the kind of second-guessing that always follows when a young player turns heads in August and still does not make the team. Miltons release, in particular, stands out because of how much momentum he appeared to build over the summer, and it leaves the Cowboys with another decision that will be debated well beyond cutdown day. [Read more 🡒]