Would you be surprised if these Cowboys didn’t make the 53?

Now before we get into this, maybe these guys wouldn’t be a huge surprise to some, but as it sits, I think they are more on the safe side than not, but that is why I am asking the question.

I am going to get into three guys that, for me, and remember these are my thoughts, are probably a bad training camp away from getting the plug pulled on them as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

This may be way off, but let’s take a look.

Luke Schoonmaker

I truly don’t think anyone would be surprised about this, but maybe there are some. Luke Schoonmaker has been such a disappointment for this team, and if Michael Trigg, the UDFA from Baylor shows anything the rest of the summer, look out.

Michael Trigg Is A STEAL For Cowboys pic.twitter.com/uUee4qXDGH

— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) June 12, 2026

It’s also safe to say, in my view, that Brevyn Spann-Ford is safe, which would put Schoonmaker in a battle with Trigg for the last spot. I don’t think that’s a battle he wins if Trigg stays out of his own way.

Spann-Ford is the best blocking tight end on the team and that is his role and everyone knows it.

Jake Ferguson had a bounce back last season and I think will be better this year, so it comes down to who wins the battle between Luke and Trigg for the last tight end to make the team.

KaVontae Turpin

So how about this one? I bet you didn’t think KaVontae Turpin would be on here, did you? I think we can all agree he took a step back last year, right?

Well, with a three-year, $13.5 million deal, his numbers declined slightly though, and he didn’t exactly excite as a returner.

That said, releasing Turpin would save just $3.4 million, which isn’t enough for Dallas to move on, but this one more of a ‘what if’ type guy, what if they found someone for cheaper that could do his job just as well?

I repeat, it won’t happen, but never say never, I guess?

Joe Milton

I will tell you right now, I don’t think Joe Milton makes the team. He has a strong arm, that is where his talent ends.

Milton didn’t do much in 2025. He attempted only 24 passes, 13 of which came in the season finale. But there’s a lot a backup quarterback has to do week in and week out at the NFL level, so he had to be on the list. Here’s the thing: I don’t believe Howell winning this competition would be a shocker.

Honestly, I like Sam Howell better than him. As of now, I don’t think anyone has any idea who has the lead in the QB2 race, but Howell winning the job would not surprise me like it might to others.

They tried to push Trey Lance, now he can’t make a roster, they tried to push Milton, now he might be a free agent. It is almost like it is hard to be a good quarterback in this league, but I will save that for another day.

Two of these guys would not shock me if they got cut. There is a 98% chance that Turpin does not, but that would shock me the most.

Joe Milton III and Sam Howell split reps with the second-team unit today as they duke it out for the QB2 job.

Milton: "In the league, you gotta compete every day. No matter where I end up or where he ends up, you gotta compete. Nothing is just given to you."

Howell: "To me, it… pic.twitter.com/cJKSuqKdwD

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 9, 2026

As for these other two, I would not be on the surprised side of things if we got an update that either one or both of them got the boot.

We have a long summer to go, but this was just another gap post to fill in some space as we inch closer and closer to training camp that starts on July 28th for the Dallas Cowboys.

Can’t wait for more media access.