The Dallas Cowboys have their franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, but the team faces a significant decision on the depth chart behind the star quarterback. Less than one year after trading for Joe Milton, the Cowboys signed Sam Howell, creating an upcoming backup quarterback battle.
Dallas could opt to keep all three quarterbacks on the roster. The Athletic’s Jon Machota is not sold on this idea as the analyst predicts the Cowboys will cut ties with one of the quarterbacks in the coming months.
Howell is the odd man out as the analyst predicts the Cowboys will keep Milton and cut the team’s newest quarterback.
“Dallas has three veteran quarterbacks who could each make the roster, but it seems difficult to keep that many,” Machota wrote in a May 12, 2026, story titled, “Cowboys 53-man roster projection: Joe Milton or Sam Howell? Who is fifth WR?” “Joe Milton and Sam Howell will battle for the backup job throughout training camp and the preseason.
“Either one could win the job. Howell has the experience, having started 18 NFL games, but Milton has the higher upside. It’s hard to believe that the Cowboys would part ways with Milton after trading a fifth-round pick for him a year ago.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Cowboys news and rumors.
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Projected to Cut Ties With QB Sam Howell Before Ever Playing for Dallas
The risk in the Cowboys signing Howell was minimal as the team inked the signal-caller to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. According to Spotrac, Howell’s $2.5 million deal is fully guaranteed which potentially points to the Cowboys’ plan to keep all three quarterbacks.
Milton still has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $4.2 million contract. Howell may have been inconsistent during his time as the Washington Commanders starting quarterback, but the veteran brings plenty of experience to Big D.
The signal-caller has made 20 appearances during his NFL career, including 18 starts. Howell has thrown for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 interceptions while completing 62.6% of his passes.
Cowboys to Have ‘Open Competition’ for the Backup Quarterback Job Behind Dak Prescott
Following the move to sign Howell, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer described things as an “open competition” for the QB2 role. Milton has the edge given he has a year in the Cowboys offensive system, and it will be interesting to see if Howell can unseat the strong-armed quarterback as Prescott’s backup.
“Sam was a guy, we watched the film, we were like, man, if we could have Sam Howell and Joe Milton on this football team and give those guys both a chance to compete,” Schottenheimer described the team’s though process at quarterback during a March 30, media session. “They’re both uber talented, they both have big time arm strength. Sam started actually 20 something games in this league, which is great.
“But yeah, it’s an open competition. We’re excited for both those guys to go. And you can never have enough quarterbacks to develop. … Sam was excited to come here, quite honestly, to be developed by us and the way we do it.”
