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?)
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
- 2026-04-27 — 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)
- 2026-04-26 — Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings (Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings)
- 2026-04-09 — One player for all 32 teams who could be traded during the NFL draft (One player for all 32 teams who could be traded during the NFL draft)
- 2026-05-04 — 4 Cowboys position battles after the NFL draft (4 Cowboys position battles after the NFL draft)
- 2026-06-12 — 32 NFL Teams, 32 fantasy football sleepers in 2026 (32 NFL Teams, 32 fantasy football sleepers in 2026)