FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer called Sam Howell first class on Tuesday and traced the backup quarterback’s route through four organizations in three years.
Howell has been traded three times since March 2024. He turns 26 on Sept. 16.
“First class. Dad’s a coach. Been well-traveled. That’s part of the journey,” Schottenheimer said. “I remember Rich Gannon and some of these guys I’ve been around, quarterbacks get moved around, and then they finally find their spot. And whether that’s Sam, whether that’s Joe, I think that’s all part of it.”
“But very mature, loves the game of football, very curious,” Schottenheimer continued. “He spoke to his relationship with Geno. I know he and Drake Maye are very close, a guy that’s come up and had great success early on in this league. And Sam understands what goes into it. He understands how you have to prepare every week, like the starter, because you never know how that’s going to play out.”
“Just first class human being, coach’s kid,” Schottenheimer said. “And he is one of those guys that you’re excited to see the growth because when he played, he played a lot from behind. And so he was forcing the ball, trying to come back. And so if you look at his interception numbers, I mean, I think his touchdowns and interceptions are the same. And you ask him about it, he’s like, I had to take some chances, man. So cool kid, really cool guy.”
Sam Howell’s 2023 Season In Washington
Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round in 2022, 144th overall, out of North Carolina. He made one start as a rookie and then started all 17 games in 2023.
Howell completed 388 of 612 passes for 3,946 yards that season. He threw 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He was sacked 65 times, and he led the league in attempts, interceptions, and sacks taken.
Sam Howell’s Route Through Four Organizations
Washington traded Howell to Seattle in March 2024. The Commanders sent a fourth-round pick and a sixth-rounder along with him and got back a third and a fifth.
Geno Smith was Seattle’s starter. Howell appeared in two games and went 5 of 14 for 24 yards with an interception against Green Bay in Week 15 after Smith was hurt.
Seattle traded Howell to Minnesota in April 2025. Minnesota traded him to Philadelphia that August. He became a free agent in March 2026 and signed with Dallas on March 10.
The deal is for one year and worth $2.5 million guaranteed. His base salary is $2 million.
Sam Howell And Drake Maye At North Carolina
Howell started three seasons at North Carolina. His 10,283 passing yards are the most in program history. He threw 92 touchdown passes there, also a school record, and 23 interceptions. His 550-yard game is the most by a Tar Heel.
Drake Maye was a freshman in 2021, Howell’s last season in Chapel Hill. New England drafted Maye third overall in 2024.
Across 20 career games in the league, Howell has thrown for 4,139 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has 18 career starts, all with the Washington Commanders.
Sam Howell’s Preseason And The Backup Decision
Howell started the preseason opener at Seattle and finished the preseason 27 of 40 for 314 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also ran for a score.
Dallas named Howell the backup on Monday and waived Joe Milton III as the corresponding move for its waiver claim of running back Emari Demercado. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will carry two quarterbacks.
Schottenheimer said Milton and Dak Prescott were both ahead of Howell in the system when Howell arrived because they had been in the building the year before.
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.
