The Dallas Cowboys made another shocking move on Monday afternoon when they released Joe Milton to make Sam Howell the primary backup to Dak Prescott. Most were expecting Milton to get the nod, but also to make room for Howell on the roster. But it looks like the Cowboys are going in a vastly different direction that maybe only a few expected.
Milton would be eligible for the practice squad if he clears waivers. Sam Howell is the No. 2 QB behind Dak Prescott. https://t.co/sGH96f6MgI
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 31, 2026
Joe Milton looked like the QB2, but Sam Howell came out of nowhere in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' preseason finale against the Saints. As Todd Archer says, Milton will be eligible for the practice squad, but gee whiz. How did this happen?
Was Howell's fourth quarter heroics exactly what he needed to earn the QB2 spot? Maybe.
Sam Howell may have earned the Cowboys' QB2 spot in the preseason finale
The Cowboys looked down in the water in the fourth quarter against the Saints, but he made something out of nothing and made it a competitive game. Down 24-9, Howell led the team back and tied the game. He also showed his strength by running into the end zone on a two-point conversion.
On the following Saints drive, they hit a field goal to take the lead. Howell's final drive didn't go well and ended in a turnover on downs late in the game.
Was that the drive that Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams were looking for? If so, we get it. The Cowboys were down by 15, and Howell put the team on his back and nearly led them to victory. Milton was pretty reliable in the preseason, but that goes to show how hard the decision was for Schottenheimer.
Howell also made a beautiful 52-yard pass to WR Jordan Hudson with two defenders on him. It was a defining play that began what would be a thrilling attempt at a comeback.
Luckily, it looks like Milton will get a run as the practice squad QB, but Milton feels like someone who should be on the roster anyway. He corrected his fireball throws and looked more in control. However, Howell was a full-time quarterback who played the entire 2023 season with the Commanders. So, if Prescott gets hurt at any point, the Cowboys have a QB with tons of starting experience.
In his 2023 campaign, Howell threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Not the line you want to see, but he's a backup now.
It's a shocking move, but you could only think that it took until the final quarter of the final preseason game to determine QB2. It was a tough choice, but the Cowboys made the bold and right one.
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