NFL Roster Cuts: Former NDSU QBs Easton Stick, Cam Miller Released
Source: InForum Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
FARGO — The NFL's final roster cuts are a brutal reality check for even the most decorated college quarterbacks, and this year two former North Dakota State stars found themselves on the wrong side of the numbers game. Easton Stick and Cam Miller, both products of the Bison's storied FCS dynasty, were released by their respective NFL teams on Sunday, bringing an abrupt end to their preseason bids for a roster spot.
Stick, a 2019 fifth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, had been a steady presence in the NFL for six seasons before this latest setback. His release from the Indianapolis Colts came after a limited preseason showing: one game in which he completed 8 of 15 passes for 78 yards. It was a modest performance, but not enough to secure a place on a Colts roster that already boasts Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, and Sam Ehlinger. Stick's journey has been one of persistence. He spent five seasons with the Chargers, serving primarily as a backup, before moving to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad last season. Now, at 29, he faces an uncertain path forward.
Miller's story is more recent but equally unpredictable. Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 24-year-old spent the bulk of his rookie season on the Raiders practice squad. The Miami Dolphins claimed him later that year, giving him a chance to compete for a backup role. In three preseason games for Miami, Miller completed 16 of 38 passes for 170 yards and two interceptions, a stat line that highlighted both his arm strength and his inconsistency. The Dolphins, who have Tua Tagovailoa entrenched as starter and Mike White as a veteran backup, decided to move on from Miller, along with former South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski, who was also cut on Sunday.
The cuts reflect the intense competition at the quarterback position across the NFL. Preseason performance is often a deciding factor, but so is experience, scheme fit, and contract status. For Stick, his tenure with the Chargers gave him a reputation as a reliable game manager, but he never translated that into a consistent role. For Miller, the transition from the FCS level to the NFL has been steep, despite his impressive college resume that included two national championships and over 10,000 passing yards.
Both players now enter the waiver period, a 24-hour window during which other teams can claim them. If they clear waivers, they become free agents and can sign with any team's practice squad. The Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins could also bring them back on their own practice squads, a common move for teams that want to keep developmental quarterbacks without using a roster spot. The practice squad offers a lifeline, but it is far from a guarantee of future success. Many players bounce between practice squads and the active roster, never quite breaking through.
The release of Stick and Miller also highlights the cyclical nature of the NFL's quarterback market. Every year, dozens of quarterbacks are cut, signed, and reshuffled as teams finalize their 53-man rosters. For the Bison faithful, seeing two of their own fall victim to the cutdown is a reminder that even the most dominant college careers do not guarantee NFL longevity. Stick and Miller join a long list of FCS quarterbacks who have faced this reality, though some, like Carson Wentz, have found lasting success.
For now, both players wait. Stick's experience gives him a slight edge in finding a new home, potentially as a third-string option or a practice squad veteran. Miller's youth and raw talent may attract a team looking to develop a young arm. But the clock is ticking, and the NFL waits for no one. The next few days will determine whether their careers continue in the league or take a detour through free agency and the waiver wire.
Article commentary
The release of Easton Stick and Cam Miller from their respective NFL teams underscores a broader truth about the league: the gap between college stardom and professional stability is vast, especially for quarterbacks from the FCS level. North Dakota State has produced a remarkable pipeline of NFL talent, but the quarterback position remains the most difficult to navigate. Stick and Miller are the latest examples of how even multi-year starters and national champions can struggle to carve out a lasting role. Stick's journey is particularly instructive. A fifth-round pick in 2019, he spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, primarily as a backup to Philip Rivers and later Justin Herbert. He appeared in only a handful of regular-season games, completing 5 of 8 passes for 55 yards in his career. His release from the Colts after a single preseason game suggests that the organization saw him as a camp arm rather than a long-term option. At 29, Stick faces an uphill battle. The NFL has a limited appetite for veteran quarterbacks who have not demonstrated consistent production in game situations. His best bet may be a practice squad role, where he can serve as an emergency quarterback and mentor for younger players. Miller's situation is more typical of a young developmental quarterback. Drafted in the seventh round, he was always a long shot to make an active roster. His preseason stats—16 of 38 for 170 yards and two interceptions—reflect the inconsistency that often plagues rookies transitioning from the FCS. The Dolphins, who have invested heavily in Tua Tagovailoa and have a proven backup in Mike White, simply did not have room for a project. Still, Miller's physical tools and college pedigree should attract interest from teams that value quarterback depth. The practice squad is a realistic outcome, and from there, he could follow the path of other late-round quarterbacks who eventually earned a starting job. The broader context here is the NFL's increasing reliance on quarterbacks from Power Five conferences. While FCS stars like Carson Wentz, Trey Lance, and even Stick himself have found opportunities, the trend is toward recruiting from larger programs. The NFL's scouting community places a premium on competition level, and the jump from FCS to the NFL is widely considered the steepest in football. For every Wentz, there are dozens of Sticks and Millers who never quite make the leap. Another factor is the sheer volume of quarterbacks in the NFL. With 32 teams each carrying three or four quarterbacks on their rosters and practice squads, the competition is fierce. Preseason games are often the only chance for young quarterbacks to showcase their skills, and a single poor performance can be career-altering. Miller's two interceptions in three games likely sealed his fate, while Stick's limited reps made it difficult for him to prove his value. Looking ahead, both players have options. Stick's experience gives him a slight edge in the free-agent market, but he will need to find a team that values his familiarity with NFL systems. Miller's youth and upside make him a candidate for a practice squad, where he can continue to develop without the pressure of immediate game action. The practice squad has become a critical stepping stone for many NFL quarterbacks, including former undrafted players who later became starters. Ultimately, the cuts of Stick and Miller are a reminder that the NFL is a meritocracy built on performance, not pedigree. For the Bison faithful, it is a sobering moment, but not a catastrophic one. Both players have shown resilience throughout their careers, and the NFL is full of stories of players who were cut, then picked up, and eventually found their footing. The next few weeks will tell us whether Stick and Miller can add their names to that list.