Possible reason they chose Howell over Milton

[gimmesix]

This might have been mentioned in one of the other threads, but just in case it was not ..

I'm not sure the decision was based on which player was better.

If the Cowboys had released Howell and no one claimed him, they would have still had to pay him $2 million for the 2026 season (it's guaranteed) along with the $500k already paid to him as a signing bonus (so $2.5 million money and salary cap hit).

By releasing Milton, if he's not claimed then the Cowboys owe him nothing and will take no salary cap hit and can bring him back to their PS if he wants to return.

Since Schottenheimer said they were "neck and neck", that likely explains why they chose to release Milton when they needed the roster spot for Demearcado.

Yeah, I think a few of us have talked about this concerning Howell and Sam Williams. Both had guaranteed money that the Cowboys had to eat if they cut them. The main difference I could see is that Dallas saved $500,000 against the cap by cutting Williams while there would have been no cap savings to cut Howell.

I do believe, though, that because we are already taking the hit, Dallas could have cut Howell and agreed to a deal to put him on the PS. I think it would have cost then a little bit more to do that, though, because of what PS players are paid, since the other money was already guaranteed.

But all things being equal, they are always going to go with the money. I just didn't think it had to be either-or.

 

[gimmesix]

I think at this point it's wrong to suggest his attitude or anything outside of performance and/or money led to the Cowboys decision unless something gets shared by an official source.

If Milton had any attitude problems, the Cowboys would have moved on from him long before now.

As for his time on the Patriots I remember hearing him say he handled it wrong and you also have to remember he was competiting with other young and unproven quarterbacks so of course he thought he was the best just like most young players would in that situation.

I could see him asking for his release if the team told him that he would only be the emergency third QB for games, which is likely since Howell has more skins on the wall. Doesn't mean he did or that they would have cut him for that reason. It's just a surprise to me after how he played that they would do this.

 

[goshann]

Meh.........

I'll stick with Jerry wanting to avoid his buddy feeling threatened.

Jerry would have kept him
This has coaching staff written all over it

 

[Reality]

I do believe, though, that because we are already taking the hit, Dallas could have cut Howell and agreed to a deal to put him on the PS. I think it would have cost then a little bit more to do that, though, because of what PS players are paid, since the other money was already guaranteed.

Why would you do that if you're Howell though?

If the Cowboys took the $2.5 million hit/risk by releasing him, it would send a clear message to Howell they consider him QB3 so if any other team wanted to sign him at all even to their practice squad, it would take at least a $1 million offer due to him being in his 3rd year and that being the minimum salary for him.

In that situation he would could make $3.5+ million this year and have a shot at QB2 with another team after catching up with their playbook.

 

[Nova]

First of all I find that hilarious and ironic that there are teams out there that constantly had pretty damn good backup quarterbacks that they traded away And in this case I guarantee they tried it something with a trade here's my scenario of what might have happened I think the Cowboys made up their depth chart made a call in the Milton says you're QB3 he got mad said I want to be cut i'm angry I don't want to be here anymore I want to chance somewhere else and the Cowboys gave him his request. request

Remember that other guy that did that number eleven right he forced his way out we don't know what went on behind the scenes but you're exaggerating over Milton's possible replacement of Prescott This dude at best might be Tyrod Taylor....

Right. I think Milton as a successor was unlikely, but good ROI was not farfetched.

You're probably right about Milton asking for the release and there not being a worthy trade market for him. Plus, I'm admittedly ignorant regarding the feasibility of trading him while trimming down the roster.

But what I'm saying is that it felt premature to try to cash in on that value. Better put, Milton felt like an investment that was showing signs of appreciation, but we released him in favor of keeping Howell. Feels like impatience from the outside in favor of a guy that's not really going to pay off in any more meaningful way.

Now if the Coaches believe Milton's peaked, that's fine. And I suspect that's what happened, so I'll have to trust their vision.

 

[Reality]

I could see him asking for his release if the team told him that he would only be the emergency third QB for games, which is likely since Howell has more skins on the wall. Doesn't mean he did or that they would have cut him for that reason. It's just a surprise to me after how he played that they would do this.

I would not be surprised if that happened and if he's not claimed and does not return, then that might end up pointing to what you just said.

I personally think this decision had less to do with Milton and more to do with them needing another roster spot at least for week #1 and financially it made more sense to go with Howell.

It's also possible they told Milton, "Hey, you're still in the running for QB2 but we need more time to work on the roster so if we cut you and nobody claims you, return to the practice squad and we'll get you back on the roster by week #2".

 

[Established1971]

This might have been mentioned in one of the other threads, but just in case it was not ..

I'm not sure the decision was based on which player was better.

If the Cowboys had released Howell and no one claimed him, they would have still had to pay him $2 million for the 2026 season (it's guaranteed) along with the $500k already paid to him as a signing bonus (so $2.5 million money and salary cap hit).

By releasing Milton, if he's not claimed then the Cowboys owe him nothing and will take no salary cap hit and can bring him back to their PS if he wants to return.

Since Schottenheimer said they were "neck and neck", that likely explains why they chose to release Milton when they needed the roster spot for Demearcado.

no this is some key input

 

[DFWJC]

I am guessing, Milton's ego grew when ex-players in the media and on podcasts kept saying he is a starter in this league. Rather than dealing with this, the Cowboys released him. Did he ask for his release? Maybe.

This is the same guy who was saying he should be ahead of Drake Maye.
Just sayin

But from what I can tell, he was a good teammate here.

Surprised they didn't keep 3, honestly

He could still clear waivers though

 

[gimmesix]

I would not be surprised if that happened and if he's not claimed and does not return, then that might end up pointing to what you just said.

I personally think this decision had less to do with Milton and more to do with them needing another roster spot at least for week #1 and financially it made more sense to go with Howell.

It's also possible they told Milton, "Hey, you're still in the running for QB2 but we need more time to work on the roster so if we cut you and nobody claims you, return to the practice squad and we'll get you back on the roster by week #2".

I just read that Archer said he didn't ask for his release, so it appears my theory is wrong. I still thing something went sideways because our cut to 53 and his release. I mean, No-Schott was just saying he and Howell were neck and neck and would continue competing ... and then they release him.

I would have cut Caelon Carson for the roster spot. I don't feel like he showed much promise in the preseason. The only reasons I believe he's here are we don't have better depth at outside corner and he plays special teams. I think we have other special-teammers and could have got him to the PS anyway.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

Why not keep all 3? Makes no sense to have only 2 QBs on the roster.

If Dak has to miss a couple games, we must then sign a backup that has to be ready in 5 days in case our backup gets banged up.

By keeping only 2 QBs, we got to keep an extra WR. Someone was going to claim either Brown or Mingo. We had to go deep there. By keeping only 2 RBs with Luepke being the emergency RB, I think we got to keep an extra pass rusher. We went thin in one area to be deeper in another. It's a gamble for sure, but I'm sure there's a Plan-B if something happens to Dak.

 

[OGSixshooter]

Schottenheimer said they were "neck and neck" so $2.5 million guaranteed would tilt that scale especially if he signed with another team as a free agent if he cleared waivers.

I get the emotional factor you have with this, but this was not about which is better or worse, but simply a likely reason why the Cowboys made the decision they did when they needed the roster spot and were forced to choose.

They can still bring Milton back to the PS if he clears waivers and wants to return.

If they had done it in the reverse order, then they risked paying $2.5 million (money and salary cap) to Howell to play for another team.

IMO, This is Jerry and team trying to show how smart they are. First, I wouldn't play games with him as a talent...if you do think he has long-term potential. Second, they kept on cut day so...I can't buy the "this was a brilliant plan" spin. Teams keep 4 QBs from time to time if they don't want to expose a guy...keeping 3 is hardly controversial.

My last point is about the money. If that was the primary driver, it was also dumb. The opportunity cost of getting your hands on a guy you WANT to invest in is so high...2 million is nothing and you pay it gladly to keep your guy. Sam Howell's are a dime a dozen.

Unless Milton has some physical ailment or some unknown flaw - to which they have indicated nothing was close to this - then this was a bad move pure and simple. Sam Howell will have to win games in Dak's absence - during a playoff run season - or he will need to be Nick Foles for this to make ANY sense.

 

[Reality]

I just read that Archer said he didn't ask for his release, so it appears my theory is wrong. I still thing something went sideways because our cut to 53 and his release. I mean, No-Schott was just saying he and Howell were neck and neck and would continue competing ... and then they release him.

I would have cut Caelon Carson for the roster spot. I don't feel like he showed much promise in the preseason. The only reasons I believe he's here are we don't have better depth at outside corner and he plays special teams. I think we have other special-teammers and could have got him to the PS anyway.

I think Milton has matured a lot since he got here and I don't think he was really wrong for wanting to be the starter in New England since he was competing with younger players.

I do wish they had kept him and I hope they get him on the PS and back on the roster, but I'm sure the roster squeeze forced their hand and he made more financial sense to gamble on releasing.

As for Carson, I definitely agree. I have a feeling they are actively trying to replace him though so cutting him won't free up a spot as he would likely be replaced.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Milton has matured a lot since he got here and I don't think he was really wrong for wanting to be the starter in New England since he was competing with younger players.

I do wish they had kept him and I hope they get him on the PS and back on the roster, but I'm sure the roster squeeze forced their hand and he made more financial sense to gamble on releasing.

As for Carson, I definitely agree. I have a feeling they are actively trying to replace him though so cutting him won't free up a spot as he would likely be replaced.

That's a possibility with Carson. Since they did put in a waiver claim for a cornerback, they may have viewed it as they were going to have to cut Milton anyway at some point.

I do think Carson is liable to be active for the first game as a special teammer if we haven't cut him by then. It could be Speed instead, but I think Carson is the better ST player.

 

[Reality]

My last point is about the money. If that was the primary driver, it was also dumb. The opportunity cost of getting your hands on a guy you WANT to invest in is so high...2 million is nothing and you pay it gladly to keep your guy. Sam Howell's are a dime a dozen.

I like Milton as well and thought Howell was just "okay" during preseason.

I think both of those guys though are backup players so paying $2.5 million to Howell (if they lose him) both in spending as well as taking up salary cap space if he was claimed or he signed with nother team is a bigger factor especially if you're also cutting other players that are adding dead money to the cap.

As a fan, I've said I think Milton earned QB2 this preseason and they should have kept him and/or all 3 for that matter.

I think the Cowboys hand was forced by needing a roster spot and Milton offered the lowest financial risk if they released and lost him.

 

[TexasBacon]

The most plausible explanation I heard was that Howell knew the offense better and was making the correct reads in practice. Milton looks good playing against backups, but when you have playmakers like Lamb and Pickens the most important thing is making the right reads and getting the ball in their hands. Howell also has significantly more experience starting and would be a better option now if Dak goes down a few games.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Milton has matured a lot since he got here and I don't think he was really wrong for wanting to be the starter in New England since he was competing with younger players.

I do wish they had kept him and I hope they get him on the PS and back on the roster, but I'm sure the roster squeeze forced their hand and he made more financial sense to gamble on releasing.

As for Carson, I definitely agree. I have a feeling they are actively trying to replace him though so cutting him won't free up a spot as he would likely be replaced.

I'm not going to jump off a cliff if we're unable to get Milton back, like some are doing, but I would have liked to see us continue developing him. Not every QB has his arm strength and movement skills. He may never live up to them, but he showed some good signs this preseason.

 

[Reality]

I'm not going to jump off a cliff if we're unable to get Milton back, like some are doing, but I would have liked to see us continue developing him. Not every QB has his arm strength and movement skills. He may never live up to them, but he showed some good signs this preseason.

I was fine with them releasing him before preseason started, but after seeing his big improvement (and it was) and that combined with his arm strength and athletic ability changed my mind.

That roll out left pass to Brown was just text-book perfect where he squared his body (which is hard to do for a right-handed quarterback running to the left) and put both touch and air under the ball. That was impressive compared to where he was last year.

Like you, I hope he returns now. Not because I think Howell is bad but because because I think Milton earned it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Since Schottenheimer said they were "neck and neck", that likely explains why they chose to release Milton when they needed the roster spot for Demearcado.

I knew the second they cut Blue in the 53 cutdown, that another cut was coming. They had to replace Blue and the roster was already at 53. The money definitely makes the difference. The only way it wouldn't is if Milton was far superior.

 

[BobSacamano]

Saw a Commodes fan wearing a Howell jersey a couple of days ago. Guy must feel.sick that he's walking around with a Cowboys players name on his jersey!

My bro-in-law is a huge Commode fan.

I remember how excited he was when he ‘fell into their lap’ in the draft that year. For a good 7 weeks he had me lol

 

[dupree89]

but I'm sure there's a Plan-B if something happens to Dak.

don't forget bro, we have Will Grier we can suit up. He's waiting in the wings as our emergency gunslinger.