Sam Howell, a former beginning quarterback for an NFC East rival, has received the race to be Dak Prescott’s backup in Dallas.
The Cowboys waived veteran backup QB Joe Milton on Monday, sooner or later after conserving three quarterbacks on their preliminary 53-man roster on the cutdown deadline. That leaves Prescott and Howell, who began all 17 video games for the Washington Commanders in 2023, because the quarterbacks on the energetic roster.
Partially, Dallas made the transfer to accommodate one other transaction, because the membership claimed working again Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The Cowboys additionally mentioned buying and selling Milton earlier than the roster deadline, ESPN reported. Milton may very well be a observe squad candidate for Dallas if he clears waivers, although different groups in want of an additional quarterback may very well be .
“We’re nonetheless piecing the puzzle collectively and that is the place this factor could be very fluid,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer informed reporters Monday, hours earlier than the discharge.
Milton, 26, joined the Cowboys final yr in a commerce from the New England Patriots. He noticed motion in 4 video games and threw for 183 yards, one landing and two interceptions. However he put collectively a robust 2026 preseason, finishing 29 of 43 makes an attempt for 378 yards, three TDs and no picks.
Howell, 25, signed a one-year, $2.5 million assured cope with Dallas in free company. He spent 2025 with one other NFC East staff, the Philadelphia Eagles, however he noticed no recreation motion.
In his 2023 marketing campaign as Washington’s starter, the previous fifth-round draft decide threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions. He additionally took essentially the most sacks within the league that season (65).
Demercado, 27, signed a one-year, $1.25 million cope with the Chiefs in March after three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. The Chiefs waived him Sunday.
Signed by Arizona in 2023 as an undrafted free agent, Demercado ran for a career-high 312 yards final season on 44 makes an attempt, and he added 13 receptions for 101 yards and one landing. He has averaged 6.5 yards per try for his profession, amassing 819 yards and 4 complete touchdowns in 40 video games (two begins).
–Area Degree Media
