Howell to open, Milton to follow: Cowboys reveal plan for preseason opener
The Dallas Cowboys have set the tone for their quarterback pecking order in the opening preseason game by naming Sam Howell the starter for the first half, with Joe Milton III scheduled to take over for the second half. The announcement, made ahead of the club’s visit to the Seattle Seahawks, crystallizes a competition for the No. 2 role behind starter Dak Prescott.
The move confirms what coaches and observers had suspected through training camp: the team wants a close, live look at both players in game conditions. Howell, who will play the entire first half, arrives in Dallas with starting experience and a longer NFL résumé. Milton, who splits time in the second half, is a younger talent whose athleticism and arm strength excited fans during his arrival to the club.
Both quarterbacks bring different profiles and trajectories to the contest. Howell’s path included a stint as a starter with the Washington Commanders, while Milton was a late-round pick who flashed big-play potential in limited action. The club’s decision to alternate them during a single game will allow evaluators to compare the two directly while preserving time for key situational work.
- Sam Howell will start and play the first half.
- Joe Milton III will play the second half.
- Dak Prescott will not play in the preseason opener.
Background on the contenders
Howell was a fifth-round pick for the Washington Commanders in 2022. He started 17 games during his second season with the Commanders and produced both promising plays and costly miscues; that season he led the NFL with 21 interceptions. Since his time in Washington he has been something of a journeyman, with stops including a season in Seattle in 2024 before landing in Dallas.
Milton’s NFL resume is shorter but marked by notable athletic traits. He was selected in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2024 and appeared in one game that season, where he recorded 241 passing yards and one touchdown, along with a rushing touchdown. Traded to Dallas in the offseason, Milton impressed observers with his cannon arm and running ability, though he struggled to consistently place touch on his throws during the preseason. In the 2025 regular season he saw action in four games and finished with 183 passing yards, one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
| Player | Drafted | Notable NFL stats (from source) |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Howell | 5th round, 2022 | Started 17 games in second season; led NFL with 21 interceptions |
| Joe Milton III | 6th round, 2024 | 2024: 241 yards, 1 pass TD; 2025: 183 yards, 1 pass TD, 2 INTs |
What this means for the Cowboys and their depth chart
By splitting the preseason opener between Howell and Milton, Dallas is signalling that the backup competition is open but that Howell currently holds the advantage. Playing a full half gives Howell extended live snaps to demonstrate command of the offence and decision-making under pressure. Milton’s second-half assignment lets coaches evaluate his in-game development while protecting him from a full game workload.
For fans and personnel evaluators alike, the matchup serves two functions: it displays how each quarterback manages an NFL game and it gives coaches tape to compare accuracy, timing, pocket awareness and play-action handling. The decision also reflects a wider roster strategy: ensuring the team has a competent backup who can step in with minimal disruption if Prescott is unavailable.
Milton’s combination of size, athleticism and arm strength remains an appealing upside story, but concerns about touch and consistency persist. Howell’s experience as a starter provides a contrasting profile — more proven reads and timing, but also a history of turnovers that the club will want to limit.
For local fans in Milton and across Ontario who follow American football, the preseason contest will be one to watch as it offers an early glimpse of how the Cowboys plan to protect their quarterback depth heading into the regular season. The results of that one-game snapshot will shape discussion in training camp assessments and, ultimately, the composition of the roster when the regular season begins.
