In a significant roster adjustment ahead of the new season, the Dallas Cowboys have officially confirmed Sam Howell as the primary backup quarterback to Dak Prescott. This strategic move involved waiving veteran quarterback Joe Milton, who had been a part of the team's initial 53-man roster. The team's coaching staff emphasized the fluid nature of roster construction, highlighting that such decisions are part of the ongoing process to optimize the squad.
Dallas Cowboys Solidify Quarterback Position and Bolster Running Back Unit
On Monday, August 31, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys officially announced their decision to designate Sam Howell, a former starting quarterback for a rival in the NFC East, as the second-string quarterback, positioning him directly behind Dak Prescott. This significant move was closely followed by the waiving of veteran backup quarterback Joe Milton. The announcement came a day after the team initially retained three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster as part of the final cutdown. With Milton's departure, the Cowboys' active roster now features Prescott and Howell as their sole quarterbacks. Howell, 25, previously started all 17 games for the Washington Commanders during the 2023 season and joined the Cowboys through a one-year, $2.5 million guaranteed free-agent deal. Although he spent 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he did not see any game action. During his 2023 campaign as Washington's primary signal-caller, he achieved 3,946 passing yards and 21 touchdowns but also recorded a league-high 21 interceptions and was sacked 65 times. Milton, 26, originally joined the Cowboys last year via a trade from the New England Patriots. In four appearances, he threw for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, he demonstrated a strong performance during the 2026 preseason, completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions. While Milton might be a candidate for the Dallas practice squad if he clears waivers, other teams could express interest in acquiring him. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted the dynamic nature of roster decisions, stating, "We're still piecing the puzzle together, and that's where this thing is very fluid." Additionally, the Cowboys executed another key transaction by claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Demercado, 27, had signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Chiefs in March after three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Last season, Demercado rushed for a career-high 312 yards on 44 carries and added 13 receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. Throughout his 40-game career, including two starts, he has averaged 6.5 yards per attempt, accumulating 819 yards and four total touchdowns.
This strategic shuffling of the roster by the Cowboys reflects the intense competition inherent in professional football and the constant pursuit of optimizing team performance. The decision to elevate Sam Howell, despite his past struggles with interceptions and sacks, highlights the team's belief in his potential and upside as a backup. It also underscores the precarious nature of a player's position, as even a strong preseason performance, like Joe Milton's, does not guarantee a spot on the active roster when faced with other strategic considerations, such as accommodating new acquisitions like Emari Demercado. This situation serves as a powerful reminder of the relentless drive for excellence and the calculated risks taken by NFL franchises to build a competitive team.
