Joe Milton, a former quarterback at Tennessee, was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday afternoon, according to a report by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
After the Cowboys kept 3 quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, Milton has apparently been shown the door in Dallas after being waived. Milton, who played at Tennessee from 2021-23 after spending the first 3 seasons of his college career at Michigan, was a 6th-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2024 draft.
The Patriots traded Milton to the Cowboys in April 2025 after he played in only 1 game for New England. Milton appeared in 4 games for the Cowboys last season, attempting a combined 24 passes while throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Milton did some good things for Dallas during the 2026 preseason, throwing for 378 yards with 3 touchdowns while completing 29 of 43 passes, so perhaps he has put enough good highlights on tape to be picked up by another NFL team. But the Cowboys apparently decided to part ways with Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the only backup to Dak Prescott, at least for now.
If Milton clears waivers, he could return to the Cowboys’ practice squad. For now, Milton appears to be looking for another NFL address.
Milton played in 29 games over his 3 seasons at Tennessee, starting 16 of them, including all 12 games during the 2023 season. He threw for 2,769 yards during that season, throwing 20 touchdown passes against just 5 interceptions.
He also ran for 292 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Vols in 2023.
While Milton looks for a potential new landing spot in the NFL, his old team in the SEC will be trying to make good on becoming relevant in the conference championship discussion. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Tennessee’s chances to make a giant leap and win the SEC in 2026:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
