FRISCO, Texas — Sam Howell is the Dallas Cowboys‘ backup quarterback, and coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday the staff was still going back and forth on the job into Monday afternoon.
Dallas waived Joe Milton III on Monday as the corresponding move for its waiver claim of running back Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs. The Cowboys had kept three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster a day earlier.
Schottenheimer said releasing Milton was tough and explained his reasoning beforehand.
“No, we were debating it,” Schottenheimer said. “You guys were digging yesterday, and I get that. And we really were. I left here, and went and had to finalize some things pretty quickly. But it was back and forth. Sam is a guy that just at the end of the day, he’s got a great feel for what we’re trying to do. And some of the way he played against New Orleans really was good and he bounced back. But this was a great battle between two great competitors that, like I said, I’m giving compliments to both of them. They both wanted the job.”
“At the end of the day, we just felt like making this decision now was in the best interest of our football team, giving us clarity,” Schottenheimer continued. “And Sam has done an awesome job of learning the system. Both Dak and Joe were ahead of him when he got here because they were here last year. But his understanding and grasp of the playbook is really, really good. He’s got great field vision. That’s one of the best things that jumps off the film is he understands where everybody is and how it affects spacing and things like that. That’s why he’s able to play pretty quick through progressions.”
Sam Howell’s Contract And Career Starts
Howell signed with Dallas on March 10 on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed. His base salary is $2 million. Releasing him would have left the Cowboys responsible for that base, and adding him to the practice squad would have stacked it on top of the guarantee.
Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round in 2022, 144th overall. He started 17 games for the Washington Commanders in 2023 and has 18 career starts, all in Washington. Across 20 career games, Howell has thrown for 4,139 yards and 22 touchdowns.
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 became a free agent in March 2026.
Brian Schottenheimer On The Third Quarterback Spot
Schottenheimer said the staff debated whether the third quarterback could be better used as an extra safety, pass rusher, or receiver.
“That was discussed. Wasn’t the only decision,” Schottenheimer said. “I told you guys, like, the discipline of this process is don’t get caught up in a big throw here, a big play there, a turnover here, a sack there. It’s throughout the whole process and from the scope of from the time we got back together in April to yesterday at whatever time it was, 1 o’clock, this was very hotly debated, and Sam’s got over 20 starts in the league, and I think that played a part in it, but that was not the only reason for the decision.”
Sam Howell And Joe Milton III Preseason Numbers
Howell started the preseason opener at Seattle. He completed 27 of 40 passes for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception across the preseason and added a rushing touchdown.
Milton started the next two games, including the finale against New Orleans on Aug. 28 at AT&T Stadium. He completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions and ran for a score.
Dak Prescott is the starter. He played 17 games last season and threw for 4,552 yards, and he has 35,989 passing yards in 139 career games.
Milton went to waivers rather than free agency because he has not reached vested veteran status in his third season. Dallas has two open standard practice squad spots.
Dallas opens the regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
