sam howell is now in the Dallas Cowboys quarterback room, a move that immediately reshapes the conversation behind starter Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have signed sam howell, formerly of the Eagles, as of 11: 00 AM ET on March 11, 2026, based on information attributed to Adam Schefter of. The signing raises an immediate, unresolved question: what happens next with Joe Milton, who previously held the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
What the Cowboys did — and why sam howell matters right now
The Cowboys “might have a new backup QB behind Dak Prescott, ” with sam howell now signed after most recently being with the Eagles. The development is significant not because it comes with public roster clarity—none has been provided—but because it directly puts pressure on the current depth chart structure that included Joe Milton as the No. 2 quarterback.
No additional terms, contract specifics, or corresponding roster moves were provided in the available information. What is clear is the immediate football implication: the Cowboys added a quarterback with regular-season starting experience on his resume, and that addition naturally triggers questions about how the team plans to allocate backup snaps and roster spots going forward.
Sam Howell’s recent path and on-field record
sam howell has already moved through multiple NFL stops. He was drafted by Washington in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. Entering his final college season, he had been viewed as a potential first-round pick, but a “bumpy season” affected his draft position.
In Washington, sam howell started 18 games across two seasons and went 5-13 in those starts. Statistically, sam howell has completed 62. 6% of his passes for 4, 139 yards in his NFL career, with 22 passing touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
He has also contributed as a runner, with 54 carries for 300 yards and six rushing touchdowns. After Washington, sam howell spent the 2024 season with the Seahawks, was briefly with the Vikings following one trade, and then went to the Eagles after another trade. He did not play regular-season action in 2025 for any of those teams.
Immediate reactions: Questions turn to Joe Milton
The central reaction around this move, based on the currently available information, is that it “raises obvious questions” about Joe Milton’s status as the No. 2 quarterback. Those questions are not answered yet, and there is no confirmed follow-up move included here.
The only directly named individual tied to the signing information is Adam Schefter of, who is cited as the basis for the report that the Cowboys signed sam howell. Beyond that, no statements from Cowboys officials, agents, or league offices were provided in the available material.
Quick context and what’s next
In short: the Cowboys added sam howell, a quarterback with 18 NFL starts and measurable production, while a separate roster question now hovers over Joe Milton’s placement on the depth chart. The next developments are expected to come “in the days ahead, ” as the team’s quarterback order and any corresponding transactions become clearer.
Until those answers arrive, the immediate takeaway remains that sam howell is in Dallas, and the Cowboys’ backup quarterback picture is no longer a settled matter.
