Cowboys’ 53-Man Roster Cuts Bring Surprises, Tough Decisions and a Stunning Joe Milton Move

By: Clark Mills
The Dallas Cowboys have officially completed one of the most difficult parts of the NFL
offseason: trimming the roster down to 53 players. But as is often the case in Dallas, the
initial roster was only the beginning of a whirlwind of moves. The Cowboys made 39
transactions to reach the league-mandated roster limit, with several notable names failing
to make the cut. Then, less than 24 hours later, Dallas made an even more surprising
decision by waiving quarterback Joe Milton.

Among the biggest surprises from the initial round of cuts were running backs Jaydon Blue,
Israel Abanikanda and Phil Mafah, as well as defensive end Sam Williams. Blue’s release
was particularly unexpected after he appeared to show enough development to remain in
the Cowboys’ crowded backfield. Williams, meanwhile, was once viewed as an important
piece of Dallas’ defensive future after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL
Draft. The Cowboys also traded offensive tackle Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans for a
2027 draft pick as part of their effort to reshape the roster.

The running back decisions became even more interesting after Dallas claimed Emari
Demercado off waivers, forcing another roster move. That move ultimately changed the
quarterback room and led to the release of Milton, leaving Dak Prescott and Sam Howell as
the only quarterbacks on the active roster.

Joe Milton’s Release Leaves Cowboys Fans Stunned

For many Cowboys fans, the release of Joe Milton was the most difficult move to
understand. Milton had become something of a fan favorite thanks to his powerful arm,
athletic ability and flashes of big-play potential. He also performed well during the
preseason, completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without
throwing an interception. He added a rushing touchdown as well, giving Dallas a dynamic
element behind Prescott that fans were excited to see develop.

What makes the decision even more surprising is that Milton initially survived the final
cutdown and was listed on Dallas’ 53-man roster alongside Prescott and Howell. The
Cowboys ultimately decided that adding Demercado and addressing the running back
position was worth sacrificing a quarterback spot, while Howell emerged as the choice for
the No. 2 job. Milton’s departure may not necessarily be the end of his time in Dallas,
however, as he became subject to waivers and could potentially return to the organization
in another capacity if circumstances align.

The Cowboys’ roster decisions show just how quickly things can change at the end of
training camp. A player can survive the initial wave of cuts and still find himself looking for
a new team the next day. Dallas entered the process with a deeper roster and several
difficult position battles, and the final decisions reflected the organization’s desire to
balance immediate needs with long-term potential. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer
acknowledged before the cuts that the team faced difficult decisions because of the talent
and depth throughout the roster.

For players such as Blue, Abanikanda, Mafah, Williams and Milton, being cut does not
necessarily mean the end of the road. Practice squad opportunities, waiver claims and
future roster moves can quickly change a player’s situation. In fact, some of Dallas’ initial
cuts have already remained in the organization through the practice squad process,
illustrating just how fluid the days following the 53-man deadline can be.

Still, Milton’s release stands above the rest as the move most likely to spark debate among
Cowboys fans. Dallas clearly believes Howell gives the team its best option behind
Prescott, while Demercado adds depth to the backfield. Whether that gamble proves to be
the right one will be determined over the course of the season. But for now, Cowboys
Nation is left wondering whether one of its preseason favorites was allowed to slip away too soon.