It hasn't gotten as much attention as the backup running back battle or the No. 2 cornerback competition, but the race for the Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback job is one of the most important storylines of the summer.
While Dak Prescott started all 17 games last season, his injury history is undeniable. It's imperative that Dallas has another QB they trust to run the offense if Prescott were to miss time.
Through a week and a half of camp, Sam Howell seems to have separated himself from Joe Milton, who was Prescott's backup last year after beating out newly minted Cowboys assistant Will Grier last summer. On the Cowboys Collective podcast (12:30 mark), Jon Machota of The Athletic said he thinks Howell is in firm control.
"Sam Howell, to me, is clearly ahead of Joe Milton right now," Machota said. "If they had to play one game right now -- (if) they have to play two games, whatever -- Sam Howell is ahead of Joe Milton."
Sam Howell has separated himself from Joe Milton in Cowboys' backup QB competition
This may say more about Milton than it does Howell, who signed a one-year, $2.5 million fully guaranteed contract with the Cowboys in March. The fully guaranteed deal always hinted that Dallas envisioned Howell as a serious contender for the backup job -- not just a camp body to keep Milton honest.
That was the case last offseason with Grier. While he and Milton technically "competed" for QB2, it was never really in doubt that Grier, who hadn't seen the field in a regular-season game since his rookie year in 2019, would beat out Milton.
Howell brings a lot more to the table than Grier.
While being six years younger certainly helps, his ability to maneuver within the pocket is right on par with Milton's quick feet. Howell can evade pressure, extend plays, and take off when the opportunity presents itself. In his lone season as Washington's starter, he rushed for 248 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.
Sam Howell is giving Joe Milton little margin for error in Oxnard
Grier didn't offer anything last summer from a mobility standpoint. And more importantly for Howell, he's a more polished passer than Milton, who's uncorked a couple of gorgeous deep throws in camp but still needs to find more consistency from snap to snap.
Last preseason was a major indictment on Milton. The offense was boom-or-bust with him under center, making it difficult to evaluate the rest of the roster, not just receivers. Without a consistent passing threat, opposing defenses crowded the line of scrimmage, leaving little room for Dallas' running backs to operate.
The Cowboys essentially gave Milton every preseason snap (75 of the 96 dropbacks, per PFF). That won't happen this year, as he'll likely split reps with Howell, which would give him a much smaller margin for error.
Of course, just because Howell is "ahead" of Milton now doesn't mean the lead is insurmountable. Even so, it's telling that Howell has gained the upper hand despite joining the Cowboys just five months ago, while Milton is in Year 2 of the offense.
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