Possible reason they chose Howell over Milton

[blueblood70]

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.

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

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.

All I'm saying is people want to assume a lot of things like they didn't try to make a trade but maybe they did Maybe he got mad behind the scenes because he made QB3 made a stink and they went ahead and released them maybe he comes back around to the practice squad there's a lot of maybes and assumptions but the good stuff front office and coaching staff has done the last two years and this last offseason apparently they lost all credibility and while fans just lost their ever loving mind over a player like Milton being released...

It's funny how all that just goes away overnight when one of the pet cats get cut I get what you're saying I hope he makes it back around I thought they were going to keep all 3 and I already knew if they kept Howell he was going to be QB2 I've said it all week long leading up to this it came true and now people are losing their mind like they didn't see it coming...


And again I hope he comes back I haven't checked today I've been working all day maybe he already got picked up...


Maybe he already signed with another team..

 

[conner01]

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.

They will sign a backup to PS

 

[shabazz]

It doesn't matter which QB they kept or if they kept both.

Its common knowledge that the season is over if a top 3 QB in the league goes down

 

[shabazz]

They will sign a backup to PS

Has Trey Lance become available again?

 

[blueblood70]

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

I don't know if that's allowed There's player coaches maybe in the NBA but there's got to be rules against that he would have to be on the active roster first or put on the practice squad and called up you just can't have him run out and play this is not water boy...

 

[blueblood70]

They will sign a backup to PS

Yes I already read on Twitter somewhere they asked Brian Schottenheimer he said that's what the extra spot is for they hope to get Milton back if not they will sign a quarterback to that open spot I mean it's kind of obvious but it has been verified

 

[dupree89]

I don't know if that's allowed There's player coaches maybe in the NBA but there's got to be rules against that he would have to be on the active roster first or put on the practice squad and called up you just can't have him run out and play this is not water boy...

yea I'm sure you are right. I was kinda kidding, but its something I could see, say, with only one game left and God forbid injuries forced the team to add a QB just in case for the last game. Thats the only type situation where I think it could be realistic.

 

[Diehardblues]

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.

Great point.

The fact they signed Howell to such a FA contract( which I wasnt aware of those details) punctuates Dallas wasn’t sold on Milton going in.

I wish I’d known those facts which would have certainly affected my thoughts throughout preseason.

 

[Reality]

Great point.

The fact they signed Howell to such a FA contract( which I wasnt aware of those details) punctuates Dallas wasn’t sold on Milton going in.

I wish I’d known those facts which would have certainly affected my thoughts throughout preseason.

I had not looked at his contract either and only found it while trying to see if it played a role in their decision.

Based on Schottenheimer's comments it sounds like they chose Howell though because of his overall performance and his understanding of the full playbook (based on press conference comments).

Schottenhiemer also said though they would love to have Milton back should he not be claimed and want to return and that they had made a lot of progress with him and another year with the Cowboys would help make him even better.

 

[Diehardblues]

I had not looked at his contract either and only found it while trying to see if it played a role in their decision.

Based on Schottenheimer's comments it sounds like they chose Howell though because of his overall performance and his understanding of the full playbook (based on press conference comments).

Schottenhiemer also said though they would love to have Milton back should he not be claimed and want to return and that they had made a lot of progress with him and another year with the Cowboys would help make him even better.

I thought Howell did enough anyway. And liked his starting experience. But no doubt the fact Cowboys had 2.5 million on the ropes it was Howell’s to win.

Thanks so much for providing info. Can’t believe I hadn’t read or heard. Vital info!!

 

[Reality]

I thought Howell didn’t enough anyway. And liked his starting experience. But no doubt the fact Cowboys had 2.5 million on the ropes it was Howell’s to win.

Thanks so much for providing info. Can’t believe I hadn’t read or heard. Vital info!!

Indeed. I was surprised as well when I saw his salary was guaranteed and that the media had not talked about it.

My only guess is the media thought the Cowboys would keep both of them at least early on.

 

[lostar2009]

LOL LOL POST THIS AGAIN!!! Exactly I thought they actually gave a roster spot for an extra QB because of this reason??? Anyways you're right we will have to find one, who we find won't know our system, should have just kept who you know. Get rid of seatbelt Carlson lol instead to save a roster spot!!

This is JJ being cute, I guess trying to save 2M? Do anyone knows if Milton was claim or was placed on the PS?

 

[conner01]

Has Trey Lance become available again?

I don’t know. If someone signs Milton we will have to sign someone to PS. Have to have a 3rd QB in case of injury

 

[Chuck 54]

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.

Whether true or not, I heard a report that of the two QBs, they felt certain they’d lose Howell because teams had inquired about him during camp and preseason. Plus, other teams tried to sign Howell before we got him. They were correct in their assumption and gamble at keeping both. Milton was not claimed by any of the 31 teams. Now it’s just a question if he signs onto the PS or got his feelings hurt and doesn’t want to come back. Being “all in” on the season meant you keep the veteran with experience. Milton is still a developmental QB. The team was all about competition in camp and preseason, so to me it looks like every move was about this season, even if we are not yet a SB contender.

 

[Bullflop]

Don't be surprised if it turns out that the Cowboys' FO tries to negotiate with their players based upon what they might command as a bargaining point. Is that possibly the hangup between the organization and their prospective players? Money has seriously affected their habits in the past . . .
If so, it might be quite a foolish way to handle things. H-m-m.

 

[DeaconMoss]

The Cowboys had game plans to win with Cooper Rush until they didn't. Milton is nowhere close to Lamar Jackson in terms of reading defenses, throwing with anticipation, touch, or accuracy, let alone as a runner.

The fact Milton making a few great throws this preseason was celebrated as progress tells me all I need to know. He's not ready to be a long term starting QB. He might be some day. But not now.

Lamar is faster, but I don't think reading defenses, throwing with anticipation, touch or accuracy are things I attribute to Lamar. If they were he would have a ring and Harbaugh would still be in Baltimore.

 

[RonWashington]

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.

Came down to $$ this is the best explanation I have seen . That Jesse Holly nonsense pure fiction . If anyone watched all three PS games and came away Howell was better check your vision might need an exam .

 

[charron]

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.

Because a roster spot for a guy who can help win with Dak is more valuable than giving to a guy who won't be winning if the other 2 QB's go down. If you are getting to your 3rd QB you got big issues and your season is likely over.

 

[gtb1943]

for so little cap money you make a decision that deals with the most important position on the team?
Yeah that sounds like Cap Boy for sure

 

[zrinkill]

Money

Same reason Jerry and Stephen make every decision.