FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer listed a coaching household first when he explained Tuesday what separated Sam Howell in the Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback competition. Howell, a day later, spent the longest answer of his availability on the same subject.
“First class,” Schottenheimer said of Howell. “Dad’s a coach. Been well traveled, that’s part of the journey. I remember Rich Gannon and some of these guys that’ve been around, quarterbacks get moved around and then they finally find their spot. Whether that’s Sam, whether that’s Joe, I think that’s all part of it. Very mature, loves the game of football, very curious.”
“Sam understands what goes into it,” Schottenheimer continued. “He understands how you have to prepare every week like the starter because you never know how that’s going to play out.”
Schottenheimer made the call on the backup job and announced it Monday, when Dallas waived Joe Milton III to create a roster spot for running back Emari Demercado. Milton cleared waivers Tuesday.
Sam Howell On Growing Up Around His Father’s Teams
Howell’s father, Duke Howell, is still coaching.
“I think I’ve just grown up around the game. I feel like it’s helped me learn a lot,” Howell said. “I can kind of see things sometimes from a coach’s perspective, just from talking to my dad. My dad’s coached me my whole life. He’s a big reason as far as why I am where I am today. Just the things he taught me when I was young and the values that he instilled for me when I was a young player. He’s still coaching right now. So it’s been cool. I think it’s just given me a different perspective. And I think when you can see things from different lenses, it kind of helps you as a player.”
Duke Howell was his son’s offensive coordinator at Sun Valley High School in Union County, North Carolina. He was hired as head coach at Cuthbertson High School in December 2022 and went 16-17 across three seasons. Myers Park High School in Charlotte hired him June 5 to replace Chris James, who stepped down in May. The elder Howell wrestled at Appalachian State.
What Sam Howell Says The Position Borrows From Coaching
Seeing the game through more than one lens is what Howell says the upbringing gave him.
“I think so. To answer your question, yes,” Howell explained. “A lot of times when you’re the quarterback out there, it’s like an extension of the coaches. You’re the guy that’s supposed to help people get lined up and help people know their assignment. And you’re the only guy that the coach is talking to in the helmet. So if the coach needs you to relay a message, that’s your job.”
“But I think there’s definitely a lot of, especially playing quarterback, when you’re around a coach your whole life, it can help you,” Howell added.
Sam Howell threw for 13,415 yards and 145 touchdowns at Sun Valley and ran for 3,621 yards and 60 more scores. He committed to Florida State before flipping to North Carolina, where he set school records with 10,283 career passing yards, 92 career touchdown passes and 38 in a single season.
Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round, 144th overall, in 2022 and started him in the final game of his rookie year. He threw for 3,900 yards in 2023 and led the league in both interceptions and sacks taken that season. Seattle traded for him in 2024. Minnesota acquired him early in 2025 and traded him to Philadelphia before the regular season, and he did not take a snap for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas signed Howell on March 10 to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed, with a base salary of $2 million. He has 18 career starts, all with Washington.
Howell started the preseason opener at Seattle on Aug. 15, a 17-7 Dallas win, and finished the summer 27-of-40 for 314 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a score. Milton started the next two games and went 29-of-43 for 378 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko and offensive assistant Will Grier work with the room alongside Howell and Dak Prescott. Grier retired as a player in July and joined the staff days later.
Prescott is entering his 11th season with the Cowboys. Schottenheimer is in his second season as head coach after Dallas went 7-9-1 in 2025.
Dallas opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
