{"id":420889,"date":"2026-08-30T07:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T07:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/420889\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T07:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T07:31:19","slug":"jerry-jones-hints-at-cowboys-backup-quarterback-decision-after-preseason-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/420889\/","title":{"rendered":"Jerry Jones Hints at Cowboys’ Backup Quarterback Decision After Preseason Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the toughest 53-man roster decisions<\/a> the Dallas Cowboys have to make comes at quarterback with Sam Howell and Joe Milton.<\/p>\n

Howell looked to be in the driver’s seat before the preseason kicked off, as head coach Brian Schottenheimer labeled him the more consistent signal-caller<\/a> over Joe Milton in training camp.<\/p>\n

However, things shifted over the first two preseason games after Milton proved to be the better quarterback<\/a> over Howell. Then, on Friday night in what was the Cowboys’ preseason finale<\/a>, it was Howell’s turn to shine and Milton struggled.<\/p>\n

After the game, Schottenheimer labeled the competition<\/a> as “neck and neck,” which doesn’t give us any insight into what Dallas plans on doing with their two quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

“It’s neck and neck and love both of those guys,” Schotty said of Howell and Milton.<\/p>\n

However, owner Jerry Jones hinted that the Cowboys might simply keep both players.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s one that we may just split the difference and have two backup quarterbacks here,” Jones said<\/a>, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.<\/p>\n

The problem with keeping an extra quarterback is that it takes away a roster spot from another position. That’s something the Cowboys will have to weigh heavily in their decision.<\/p>\n

Who is QB2 if Dallas keeps Milton and Howell?\"Dallas<\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell (16) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

While that’s all well and good, we still don’t have any clarity on who would be the first man up off the bench if Dallas does keep both. <\/p>\n

Milton offers more upside, but Howell has the experience with 18 career starts and 645 passes to Milton’s zero starts and 53 pass attempts. <\/p>\n

For a veteran team in win-now mode like Dallas, that could give Howell a leg up if all else is equal.<\/p>\n

What happens if Cowboys don’t keep both?\"Dallas<\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) looks to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The expectation all along has been that the loser of the battle would get traded if the Cowboys can find a partner, or cut.<\/p>\n

When it comes to trade compensation, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported before preseason Week 3 that sources he spoke to say Milton may command as much as<\/a> a fourth-round pick from a desperate team, or at least a fifth-rounder.<\/p>\n

That was after two stellar preseason showings and before Milton’s lackluster performance on Friday night, so perhaps that has changed.<\/p>\n

As far as Howell is concerned, Harris is hearing he could fetch a deal similar to the one the Cowboys made for Matt Cassel years back in which Dallas gave up a fifth-rounder for Cassel and a seventh-rounder, so essentially a Day 3 pick swap.<\/p>\n

If the Cowboys can’t find a trade partner and do end up cutting one of their quarterbacks, we would expect them to end up on Dallas’ practice squad should they pass through waivers.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u00a0Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter<\/a>\u00a0for more free coverage from\u00a0Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/a>\u00a0\u2014<\/p>\n

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