DAL Sam Howell
NFL player. Position: QB. Team: DAL.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: DAL (Dallas Cowboys)
2026 Outlook
Howell was signed as a free agent in 2026 to compete for the backup QB role behind Dak Prescott. A 2022 fifth-round pick out of Washington, Howell brings 18 career starts—all with the Commanders—and has been exposed to multiple NFL systems over four seasons with five different teams. His resumé shows a 5-13 record as a starter with 4,139 passing yards, 22 TDs and 23 INTs, plus a 77.5 passer rating and 62.6% completion percentage. Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised the acquisition, noting Howell's experience starting for Washington as a "crazy opportunity" and describing the backup QB competition with Joe Milton as "fun" and a way to elevate depth. While Howell's starting experience gives him an edge in a true emergency, his lack of playing time (14 pass attempts) over the last two seasons suggests he's rougher around the edges than Milton in terms of system familiarity. The backup QB battle is expected to extend into training camp. (per Cowboys QB2 battle heats up, coach hypes 'fun competition' behind Dak Prescott)
July 6 update: Signed to a one-year, $2.5M deal with Dallas to compete against Joe Milton for the backup QB role in training camp. Howell's starting experience (18 games with Washington 2022-23) gives him credibility as a safety valve if Prescott gets injured, though his system familiarity lags Milton's second year in the Cowboys' offense. (per 2026 Dallas Cowboys position breakdown: Will new QB2 emerge behind Dak Prescott?)
August 12 preseason battle update: Howell and Joe Milton are splitting reps in the backup QB competition, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer rotating both during training camp and preseason action. While Howell brings starting experience (18 games with Washington), his lack of playing time over the past two seasons (14 total pass attempts in 2024-25) puts him at a disadvantage in terms of game sharpness. Coach Schottenheimer called the QB2 battle a "fun competition," suggesting both players are being evaluated seriously into the final week before roster cuts (per Exploring Cowboys' first 2026 depth chart: CB, QB2 battles stand out before preseason opener).
Role / Depth Chart
Competing for backup QB role behind Dak Prescott. Split reps with Joe Milton during OTAs and training camp.
Injury Status
Recent News
- 2026-08-31 — Cowboys waive Joe Milton III, name Sam Howell backup QB (Cowboys waive Joe Milton III, name Sam Howell backup QB)
- 2026-08-31 — Cowboys waive QB Joe Milton; Sam Howell in line to back up Dak Prescott (Cowboys waive QB Joe Milton; Sam Howell in line to back up Dak Prescott)
- 2026-08-15 — Dallas Cowboys Starting QB in Preseason Opener Tips Hand on Sam Howell-Joe Milton Battle (Dallas Cowboys Starting QB in Preseason Opener Tips Hand on Sam Howell-Joe Milton Battle)
- 2026-08-14 — Cowboys' backup QB competition between Milton, Howell in the spotlight for preseason... (Cowboys' backup QB competition between Milton, Howell in the spotlight for preseason...)
- 2026-04-27 — Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection (Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection)
- 2026-04-27 — Cowboys post-draft depth chart: How they improved their roster this offseason (Cowboys post-draft depth chart: How they improved their roster this offseason)
- 2026-06-15 — Cowboys' Most Important Starting Competitions to Watch During Mandatory Minicamp (Cowboys' Most Important Starting Competitions to Watch During Mandatory Minicamp)
- 2026-05-18 — Ranking the 10 worst QB rooms in NFL entering 2026; starting predictions for Week 1 (Ranking the 10 worst QB rooms in NFL entering 2026; starting predictions for Week 1)
- 2026-02-16 — Vikings QB Decision Might Be Simpler Than Expected (Vikings QB Decision Might Be Simpler Than Expected)
- 2026-03-12 — By adding Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys put backup quarterback Joe Milton on notice (By adding Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys put backup quarterback Joe Milton on notice)