Graphic Credit / Cowboys Roundtable
Oct 16, 2026 3:31 PM
Philadelphia poached the dual-threat quarterback just as a Jalen Hurts injury creates a roster void, adding high-stakes intrigue to the NFC East battle with Dallas next week.
Brian Schottenheimer was "elated" when Joe Milton returned to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad in September.
Six weeks later, that excitement might have turned into something else entirely.
The Philadelphia Eagles are signing Milton off Dallas' practice squad to their 53-man roster, Jordan Schultz reported Friday. The move ends Milton's Cowboys tenure just 10 days before the division rivals meet on Monday Night Football.
And given Philadelphia's quarterback current situation, there's at least a possibility Milton could be on the field against his former teammates.
The move comes after Jalen Hurts was ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers because of a superficial blood clot in his calf.
Tanner McKee will start in his place ... though Hurts' status beyond this weekend remains uncertain.
For Dallas, the timing adds another wrinkle to a quarterback decision that already raised eyebrows.
The Cowboys acquired Milton from the New England Patriots in April 2025, sending a fifth-round pick to New England for the quarterback and a seventh-round selection.
Philadelphia was among several teams interested in Milton before that deal, as Schultz reported at the time.
The Eagles have finally gotten their guy … without surrendering any draft capital.
Milton spent the 2025 season backing up Dak Prescott, appearing in four games before competing with Sam Howell for the same job this summer.
His preseason numbers were impressive. Across three appearances, Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added a rushing score.
That wasn't enough for Schottenheimer.
The Cowboys waived Milton on Aug. 31, deciding Howell had demonstrated a stronger command of the offense. Milton cleared waivers and returned to Dallas' practice squad on Sept. 2.
Schottenheimer was thrilled.
"When he informed me he's coming back, I was elated," the coach said at the time.
Milton, meanwhile, acknowledged he was shocked by the original decision.
"I'm still the best quarterback in my eyes," he told the Cowboys' official website.
Now he'll get an opportunity elsewhere, and the quarterback carousel between Dallas and Philadelphia has become rather ridiculous.
Howell spent the 2025 season with the Eagles before replacing Milton as Prescott's backup. Philadelphia also released Andy Dalton, another former Cowboys quarterback, on Oct. 9 after demoting him behind McKee.
Even running back Jaydon Blue, Dallas' 2025 fifth-round selection, landed on Philadelphia's practice squad after the Cowboys waived him in August.
And now Milton is headed down the same path.
Of course, there's no guarantee Milton sees the field against Dallas. McKee remains Philadelphia's immediate answer with Hurts sidelined, and the former Cowboys quarterback will need time to learn another offense.
But Dallas visits Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 26, and Hurts' availability for that matchup remains an open question.
The Cowboys gave up draft capital to acquire Milton, chose a former Eagle over him and celebrated getting him back on the practice squad.
Now Philadelphia has him.
And depending on what happens with Hurts over the next 10 days, Schottenheimer could find himself watching the quarterback he was so happy to keep lining up against his own defense.
In Philadelphia ... of ALL places.
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