The Dallas Cowboys are releasing quarterback Joe Milton and claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs in a corresponding move, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Cowboys claimed RB Emari Demercado off waivers from Kansas City and the corresponding move was waiving QB Joe Milton. https://t.co/VcZwDp6Unx pic.twitter.com/mm8IYNG6BA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2026
Milton produced an encouraging preseason, completing 60.7% of his attempts with two touchdown passes, a rushing score, and a 116.8 quarterback rating.
With Milton released, Sam Howell is expected to back up Dak Prescott. Howell completed 19 of 28 attempts this preseason for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
The New England Patriots drafted Milton out of Tennessee with a sixth-round pick in 2024. They traded him to the Cowboys in April 2025. Milton enters his third NFL season with limited pro experience, having accumulated only 424 yards and two passing touchdowns on 53 pass attempts in his regular-season career.
Dallas enters the regular season looking to improve upon back-to-back seven-win campaigns.
