Possible reason they chose Howell over Milton

[FVSTONE]

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.

They were NECK and NECK???? Yeah, I must have been watching the back of my eye lids, when I thought I was watching Cowboy preseason games, because Milton looked so dam good in the first two preseason games that probably the majority of Cowboy Forumers were thinking Milton could threaten Prescott for his job. As for Milton going unclaimed when he was released, that's a real head scratcher to me. What did the other 31 teams see that the rest of us were getting all giddily about????? Joe actually looked like he finally got what it was going to take to be successful in the NFL..........

 

[stag hunter]

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

Maybe he already had a good idea of who he wanted to keep and he’s just paying lip service to the press.

Maybe he didn’t want to tip his hand that Milton might be released, so they could sneak him through waivers.

I never put too much stock into what a coach (or a company) says to the media in their public-facing communications.

 

[xwalker]

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.

This is exactly the issue!

 

[Mikemcm]

Howell is more likely to be claimed off PS than Milton.

If nobody claimed Milton they sure as heck wouldn't claim Howell.

 

[ghst187]

Howell is more likely to be claimed off PS than Milton.

Probably this, I liked Milton a bit better but there may have been more considerations taken into account than just play

 

[CaptainAmerica12]

They were NECK and NECK???? Yeah, I must have been watching the back of my eye lids, when I thought I was watching Cowboy preseason games, because Milton looked so dam good in the first two preseason games that probably the majority of Cowboy Forumers were thinking Milton could threaten Prescott for his job. As for Milton going unclaimed when he was released, that's a real head scratcher to me. ????? Joe actually looked like he finally got what it was going to take to be successful in the NFL..........

"What did the other 31 teams see that the rest of us were getting all giddily about?"

Reality. Milton is not very good and it has nothing to do with his athletic ability.

 

[FVSTONE]

"What did the other 31 teams see that the rest of us were getting all giddily about?"

Reality. Milton is not very good and it has nothing to do with his athletic ability.

Really, he wasn't that good???? Well, there were a lot of Cowboy Forumers who thought Milton's play should light a fire under Prescot's behind because Milton's play in the first couple of preseason games was NFLish! On January 5, 2025, Milton made his professional debut in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills after relieving Maye, who departed after the opening drive. Milton finished 22-of-29 for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. When he got traded to the Cowboys, he played in 4 games, did he set the NFL on fire, heck no, but with a couple of more years sitting and learning he could turn into a pretty dam good back. He's athletic and he has a live arm.

 

[kskboys]

They were NECK and NECK???? Yeah, I must have been watching the back of my eye lids, when I thought I was watching Cowboy preseason games, because Milton looked so dam good in the first two preseason games that probably the majority of Cowboy Forumers were thinking Milton could threaten Prescott for his job. As for Milton going unclaimed when he was released, that's a real head scratcher to me. What did the other 31 teams see that the rest of us were getting all giddily about????? Joe actually looked like he finally got what it was going to take to be successful in the NFL..........

Except going through progressions.

 

[Floatyworm]

His last game really gave him the edge I'm not sure I'm buying that, however I do feel like he's the more traditional option to have at QB. Not saying he's great, not saying that Milton sucks. It's a trust issue to me

Your not buying Jerry saves 2 million dollars.......

Then you don't know Jerry....

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

One possible reason they chose [insert name of ANYONE] over Milton:

1: Milton sucks, and isn't an NFL caliber player, even as a 3rd stringer.

 

[DanTanna]

The same people on this board who thought Milton would threaten Dak’s job are probably the same ones that thought Shaduer Sanders was a top 5 pick, and Jaydon Blue is a lock to be on our 53.

 

[DarkVader33]

Really, he wasn't that good???? Well, there were a lot of Cowboy Forumers who thought Milton's play should light a fire under Prescot's behind because Milton's play in the first couple of preseason games was NFLish! On January 5, 2025, Milton made his professional debut in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills after relieving Maye, who departed after the opening drive. Milton finished 22-of-29 for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. When he got traded to the Cowboys, he played in 4 games, did he set the NFL on fire, heck no, but with a couple of more years sitting and learning he could turn into a pretty dam good back. He's athletic and he has a live arm.

Yet no one else wanted him

 

[kskboys]

The same people on this board who thought Milton would threaten Dak’s job are probably the same ones that thought Shaduer Sanders was a top 5 pick, and Jaydon Blue is a lock to be on our 53.

Accurate.

How do people continuously fall for preseason stars? They never make it.

 

[FVSTONE]

Yet no one else wanted him

This is why the NFL is referred to as the GOOD OLE' BOY club.............

 

[DarkVader33]

This is why the NFL is referred to as the GOOD OLE' BOY club.............

That does not none whatsoever apply to this situation.

 

[erod]

They were NECK and NECK???? Yeah, I must have been watching the back of my eye lids, when I thought I was watching Cowboy preseason games, because Milton looked so dam good in the first two preseason games that probably the majority of Cowboy Forumers were thinking Milton could threaten Prescott for his job. As for Milton going unclaimed when he was released, that's a real head scratcher to me. What did the other 31 teams see that the rest of us were getting all giddily about????? Joe actually looked like he finally got what it was going to take to be successful in the NFL..........

He didn't do anything in preseason that impressed football coaches.

He doesn't' play the position like an NFL quarterback. That's been proven over and over.

Playing against vanilla defenses and guys that are now all cut proves nothing. He didn't do these things against the Saints and Rams in the practices.

Howell can run the REAL offense from the huddle through the checks and play. Milton can't.

 

[erod]

This is why the NFL is referred to as the GOOD OLE' BOY club.............

Stupid.

 

[AbeBeta]

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.

Good lord man.

He's just being supportive. Milton is still really raw. Howell is a finished product. Definitely not the upside of Milton, but a guy who can come in and manage for a few games.

 

[blueblood70]

Good lord man.

He's just being supportive. Milton is still really raw. Howell is a finished product. Definitely not the upside of Milton, but a guy who can come in and manage for a few games.

Yes makes total sense that Cooper rush with more mobility can in emergency situation be better than Milton a very green guy who's never been in that situation at all You are definitely correct I agree with you for once

 

[Reality]

Good lord man.

He's just being supportive. Milton is still really raw. Howell is a finished product. Definitely not the upside of Milton, but a guy who can come in and manage for a few games.

Okay.