Cowboys predicted to part ways with QB in favor of defensive help

1 day ago 4

The Dallas Cowboys know they'll have to improve their defense in 2026 to chase a playoff spot.

That could come at the expense of a quarterback roster spot.

ESPN's Todd Archer released a 53-man roster projection as part of previewing Cowboys training camp, and that list only includes two quarterbacks.

Archer has Dak Prescott making the Cowboys, of course, and joined by Sam Howell.

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That means Joe Milton misses the initial roster.

"Considered going with Joe Milton III and making it three but opted against it," Archer writes. "The Cowboys guaranteed Howell $2 million in free agency and don't make it a habit of letting that financial commitment walk. Milton is still young enough to see how he develops and could be a practice squad guy. Howell has more experience and command."

It's probably a logical point. Howell has starting experience in the NFL, while Milton has some intriguing tools but likely wouldn't be consistent if called upon as an injury replacement at some point.

The suggestion by Archer that Milton goes on the practice squad, though, is also tricky. A player on the practice squad can be added by another team, and so not keeping Milton on the 53-man roster would be putting him at risk of being taken elsewhere.

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Is that worth it? The Cowboys would then have to find a different QB3 to add to the organization, as insurance at the very least.

The reason the Cowboys would do this would be to keep an extra defensive player. Archer's roster projection includes 11 defensive linemen and six cornerbacks, both just about maxing out those positions.

If Milton misses the team, it'll be to help the defensive depth. The Cowboys will simply have to hope that works.