GLENDALE, Ariz. — Joe Milton III will start at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said on the team’s pregame show.
Kickoff at State Farm Stadium is set for 9 p.m. CT on NFL Network. Dallas carries a 1-0 preseason record into the game after a 17-7 win at Seattle on Aug. 15. Arizona is 1-1 after losing to Carolina on the final play of the Hall of Fame Game and then beating Las Vegas.
Dallas went through the week without naming a starter, a change from the opener, when Schottenheimer made the call public days in advance.
“We’ve had discussions about it, we haven’t made any definite decision about this weekend,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said.
Sam Howell started at Lumen Field and played the first half. Milton played the second half.
Howell completed 8-of-12 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, and he ran twice for 15 yards. Milton completed 12-of-15 for 107 yards and a touchdown. Neither quarterback turned the ball over.
Both touchdown passes went to Camden Brown, a 39-yard catch from Howell in the second quarter and a 2-yard catch from Milton in the third. The undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern was targeted 3 times, caught all 3, and finished with 62 yards, a team high.
“The game’s not too big for him,” Schottenheimer said.
Dak Prescott spent part of last week in Oxnard explaining what stands out about the receiver.
Dallas outgained Seattle 338 yards to 156 and held the ball for 32:55. The Cowboys were flagged 13 times, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.
What Brian Schottenheimer Said About The Quarterbacks After Seattle
Milton was “in the best command of our system that he’s been in” since arriving in Dallas, Schottenheimer said.
Dallas scored on 3 of its drives in Seattle.
“One, scoring points, two protecting the football,” Schottenheimer explained.
Milton’s takeaway for himself was to keep seeing it, keep progressing, and keep having fun.
“Keep seeing it. Keep progressing. Just keep having fun,” Milton said.
How Joe Milton III And Sam Howell Arrived In Dallas
New England drafted Milton in the sixth round, 193rd overall, in 2024. He appeared in one game as a rookie. The Patriots traded him to Dallas in April 2025 for a fifth-round pick, with a seventh-round pick going back to the Cowboys.
Milton appeared in 4 games last season and threw for 183 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Through 5 career games he has thrown for 424 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He turned 26 in March.
Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round, 144th overall, in 2022. He started 17 games in 2023 and threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. His 21 interceptions led the NFL.
Washington traded Howell to Seattle in March 2024. Seattle traded him to Minnesota in April 2025, and Minnesota traded him to Philadelphia that August. He signed with Dallas on March 10. Howell has not appeared in a regular-season game since the 2024 season, when he played 2 games for the Seahawks and attempted 14 passes.
What Is Left On The Dallas Cowboys Preseason Schedule
Schottenheimer has said no Dallas starters will play against Arizona. Prescott sat out the opener and started all 17 games last season. Rookie safety Caleb Downs wanted more snaps in his debut at Seattle.
The Cowboys went 7-9-1 last season in Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach, scoring 471 points and allowing 511. Dallas opens Sept. 13 against the New York Giants.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, then closes the preseason against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. CT.
