Dallas Cowboys score a temporary win after Joe Milton decision, but it’s too early to celebrate
The Dallas Cowboys took a risk by waiving Joe Milton. Things are off to a good start, but it’s way too early to call the bet a win.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Tuesday he would “absolutely” want to bring quarterback Joe Milton back to the team via the practice squad. One day earlier, the Cowboys shockingly cut Milton after having him make the initial 53-man roster.
Fortunately for him, Milton is now eligible to sign with the Cowboys practice squad. That’s because no team around the NFL put in a waiver claim for Milton, making him a free agent.
But the problem is that’s only a temporary win. Though Milton is free to sign back with Dallas, it remains to be seen if Milton wants to. Based on what head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Tuesday, it’s a long shot. But many people thought the same about his chances to go unclaimed.
Why Milton might pass on the Cowboys
It’s very simple, really. Milton did well in two of three preseason games and showed significant progress. Yet, Sam Howell was named QB2 behind Dak Prescott. Schottenheimer suggested Milton needs time to fully operate the offense.
“This is what guys who come from that spread system have to deal with,” Schottenheimer explained to reporters. “In terms of the learning curve of coming in and having to learn how to huddle, and call a play in the huddle, and make different decisions, and it’s not all done from hand signals from the sideline. Some of it takes a little bit of time. I think Joe is going to be a terrific player in this league.”
Knowing he’s two quarterbacks away from starting (one of which happens to be a Top 10 QB in the league) and that his coach sees him as someone who still has plenty to develop, does it really make sense for Milton to head back to Dallas?
Perhaps his best chance at getting on the football field would be to sign with a different team with a shakier QB situation. His powerful arm talent and preseason program might be enough for a QB-needy team to sign him to the practice squad. According to Schottenheimer, “there was definitely people interested in Joe.”
Ultimately, it will come down to what offer (or offers) comes through for Milton. In the meantime, the Cowboys admittedly want him back. With the regular season around the corner, the clock is ticking for Milton to make a decision.
Schottenheimer’s pitch?
“I think we’ve shown that we know how to develop him,” Schottenheimer said. “I think him being in this system for another year would be amazing.”
