The initial Cleveland Browns 53-man roster has given way to the next Cleveland Browns 53-man roster
quite quickly. On top of that, the Browns first practice squad is taking shape and, reportedly, will not include preseason phenom WR Luke Floriea.As always in Cleveland, and really around the NFL, the quarterback continued to be the big story. The Browns got… a little help… when QB Dillon Gabriel ended up with a back injury that will sideline him for the first four weeks of the season. That has allowed
the team to not have to part ways with any of their four quarterbacks, for now.
Just like Cleveland, the Dallas Cowboys continued their roster juggling on Monday, waiving QB Joe Milton, who many believed would be the team’s primary backup to QB Dak Prescott. As our SB Nation’s Blogging the Boys noted, Milton’s potential departure was eye-opening:
The move comes as a pretty big surprise given the events of training camp and specifically the preseason. It seemed like Milton was a lock to be Dak Prescott’s primary backup this season, but even if you disagreed with that the idea of him not making the roster at all seemed a bit farfetched.
Again, Milton played extremely well over the course of the preseason. He led the NFC in third-down passing across the exhibition period at large. This isn’t anything to really write home about given that it was the preseason, but you get the point that Milton played well in the opportunities that he had.
Milton, much like Browns rookie Taylen Green, came out of college as an athletic marvel with a big arm.
The third-year pro played in one game as a rookie with the New England Patriots, completing 76% of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. Last year, after being traded to the Cowboys, Milton played in four games, completing 15 of 24 passes (63%) with one touchdown and two interceptions.
In his five career contests, Milton has also run for 66 yards. Milton’s rushing talent, along with his big arm, has made him a preseason highlight reel, including this year with Dallas.
According to Marcus Mosher, who also covers the Cowboys, the team values a backup quarterback who does not need practice snaps or development, which led to their decision to hold on to QB Sam Howell and release Milton.
With the Browns having a high waiver claim (6th) spot for the first four weeks of the 2026 season, it will be interesting to see which players they bring in. Given Milton’s athletic ability and big arm, he fits HC Todd Monken’s traits for a quarterback.
While Cleveland could choose to claim Milton and waive a player at another position, that seems unlikely. Instead, the addition of Milton would likely lead to the departure of either Shedeur Sanders or the rookie Green. With Milton’s experience and Green entering his first season, Sanders seems like the odd man out if the Browns were to claim Milton.
Given Cleveland’s history, it is also possible the team keeps four quarterbacks or tries to sneak Green to the practice squad if they acquire Milton. If the Browns decide to pull the ripcord on the Sanders experience in favor of Milton, it is possible that GM Andrew Berry can find a trade partner who is looking for a quarterback to develop and likes Sanders’ upside.
Whatever you think about Sanders’ talent, last year he lost a quarterback competition to the aged Joe Flacco and the undersized Gabriel. All three played poorly in 2025. Then, this year with a new coaching staff and added talent around him, Sanders lost a quarterback competition to Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t been good for half a decade and is coming off missing a year and a half of football. None of that screams that the Cleveland organization is high on Sanders.
Claiming Milton could just be the final nail in Sanders’ time with the Browns.
Do you think the Browns should claim Milton? If so, do you think they should waive Sanders, Green, or keep all 4 QBs on the 53-man active roster?
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
