FRISCO, Texas — Sam Howell said Wednesday he has not had many conversations with Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer about why the backup quarterback job went his way, and that he does not know what went into the decision.
Howell’s answer, four days after the Cowboys set their initial 53-man roster and two days after the club waived Joe Milton III, sent the question back to the coach who made the call.
Howell has been in quarterback competitions before, and his mindset in this one was the same as in all of them.
“I’m not sure. I think that’s a question for him,” Howell said. “We haven’t had many conversations about it. I just try to do what I do every single day and try to get better. But I don’t really know exactly what went into it. I just tried to put my best foot forward.”
Dallas kept three quarterbacks on Sunday’s initial roster, then waived Milton on Monday as the corresponding move for its waiver claim of running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs. Milton cleared waivers Tuesday. Claims were due at 3 p.m. CT, and none came in on Milton or on the two years left on his rookie contract. Most clubs carry two quarterbacks. Dallas carried three into Monday.
Sam Howell On His Approach To The Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Competition
Howell’s routine through the summer was to try to get better and put his best foot forward.
“I think for me, I’ve been in quarterback competitions before throughout my career, and my mindset’s always the same,” Howell explained. “It’s never about the other person. It’s about trying to be the best version of yourself and setting a high standard for yourself and trying to be the best you can be. It’s never about looking over your shoulder or anything like that. It’s how can I get better? And I think if you focus on yourself and focus on how you can get better each and every day, I think you’ll be in a good spot.”
“But it was fun, man. Good competition and I feel like I got better from it,” Howell continued. “I think Joe would say the same. And obviously a lot of respect for Joe. Joe’s a great player and extremely talented guy, and all he’s done is got better. So obviously wishing Joe the best of luck. Not sure if he’s coming back, but Joe’s journey’s not over. That’s for sure.”
Howell started the preseason opener at Seattle on Aug. 15 and finished the summer 27-of-40 for 314 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Milton started the next two games and went 29-of-43 for 378 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Milton also carried 12 times for 14 yards and a rushing touchdown, and he completed 67.4% of his preseason passes.
Howell threw for 155 yards on 12-of-18 passing with two touchdowns in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 28 at AT&T Stadium, and ran in a two-point conversion with 6:11 to play to tie a game the Saints won 27-24 on a 53-yard field goal.
Schottenheimer said Tuesday the club wanted Milton back on the practice squad. The Cowboys had trade conversations about Milton before Sunday’s cutdown to 53, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, who cited a source.
Milton arrived in Dallas in a 2025 trade with the New England Patriots, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2024. He was Dak Prescott‘s primary backup last season. In his third year, Milton had not reached vested veteran status, which is why his release sent him to the waiver wire rather than to free agency.
What Sam Howell Said About Competition In The Quarterback Room
Competition is something Howell said he has come to value more as he has gotten older in the league.
“No doubt. I think competition is good,” Howell said. “You learn as you kind of get older in the league, you learn how beneficial competition can be. Obviously you don’t want players to be comfortable all the time because they’re not really pushing themselves. And so I think anytime you can have competition against a good player, it’s going to make you better and I think it definitely did.”
Two other Dallas players were claimed Monday. Miami took safety Julius Wood and Minnesota took guard Trevor Keegan.
Dallas signed Howell on March 10 to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed. He is in his fifth NFL season and has 18 career starts, all with Washington in 2022 and 2023.
Milton is free to sign with any team, including on a practice squad. The Cowboys open the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants, with kickoff set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
