Our picks and predictions for the 2026 NFL season
Joe Rivera, Chris Bumbaca and Adam Kaufman break down their predictions for the 2026 NFL season on the latest episode of the Sports Seriously NFL Vodcast.
The Dallas Cowboys initially kept three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, but they pivoted after claiming former Kansas City Chiefs running back Emari Demercado off waivers.
To make room for Demercado, the Cowboys released Joe Milton, who served as the team’s backup behind Dak Prescott during the 2025 NFL season.
Milton enjoyed an excellent preseason and has shown potential across his limited NFL action to date. He has never made a start, but he has completed 69.8% of his passes for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Milton’s combination of elite arm talent and high-level mobility has long tantalized talent evaluators. Now that he’s available on waivers, he could draw interest from teams across the NFL looking to improve their quarterback depth.
Where could Milton end up? Here’s a look a handful of landing spots that make sense for the 26-year-old quarterback.
New York Jets
The Jets currently have just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster after losing Brady Cook to the Miami Dolphins on waivers, while journeyman Bailey Zappe landed on their practice squad. If they wanted to add a fourth to the fold, Milton could be a nice upside swing for them.
Geno Smith is currently entrenched as New York’s starter, but the 35-year-old isn’t a long-term solution to the Jets’ enduring issues at quarterback. Milton would provide the Jets another young, potential-packed option at the position who could compete with Cade Klubnik for the right to be Smith’s eventual successor.
Los Angeles Chargers
Trey Lance beat DJ Uiagalelei for the Chargers’ backup quarterback job, but the competition was underwhelming. Lance completed 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 237 yards and an interception during the preseason and struggled during his NFL action last season, completing 27 of 57 passes (47.4%) for 226 yards and a touchdown.
If Jim Harbaugh wants to find competition, or a potential upgrade over Lance, Milton could fit the bill. He offers a similar combination of upper-echelon arm strength and mobility but has proven more accurate than Lance across his limited NFL action to date.
Atlanta Falcons
Milton spent his rookie season with the New England Patriots. His offensive coordinator during that stretch was Alex Van Pelt, who is now the quarterbacks coach for the Falcons.
The Falcons have one of the league’s shakiest quarterback rooms, as Michael Penix Jr. is injured, Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush have both struggled and Jack Strand, as impressive as he was in the preseason, is an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State-Moorhead. Atlanta could consider kicking the tires on Milton and seeing if he can eventually push Penix or Tagovailoa for playing time in an otherwise well-built offense.
The Bengals already have Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco in their quarterback room. Why not add another Joe to the fold?
In all seriousness, the Bengals could use a young quarterback to eventually be the successor to Flacco, who is entering his age-41 season. Learning behind Burrow and from Zac Taylor could prove beneficial for Milton.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jake Browning entered training camp favored to be Tampa Bay’s top backup behind Baker Mayfield. Instead, he was beaten out for the job by undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels before being released.
The Buccaneers added veteran Easton Stick to their practice squad, so they may be content to stick with those three quarterbacks. But if they want another veteran for their room to provide insurance behind Daniels, Milton would represent a nice fit.
Dallas Cowboys
While Milton may draw interest from other teams, it remains possible he will clear waivers. If that happens, he will be eligible to return to the Cowboys as a member of their practice squad.
Milton is familiar with the Cowboys having spent the last two seasons in Dallas, so he might be eager to continue operating in Schottenheimer’s offense.