Joe Milton’s time in Dallas is officially over, and that means former Seahawk Sam Howell is now Dak Prescott’s presumed backup for the Cowboys this season. What a quick turn in the depth chart!
The Quick Hook for Milton
Milton, who the Patriots snagged in the sixth round of the 2024 draft out of Tennessee, just couldn’t stick. He spent his rookie year in New England, played only one game there, then landed in Dallas the following offseason. Backing up Prescott, Milton appeared in just four games. He put up 183 yards, a single touchdown, and threw two interceptions, completing 15 of his 24 attempts. Not exactly the kind of numbers that keep you around, right? The Cowboys had both Milton and Howell on their 53-man roster just Sunday, but then Milton was out. In a corresponding move, running back Emari Demercado was claimed off waivers from Kansas City.
Howell’s Familiar Path to the Spotlight
This whole shake-up means Sam Howell is right back in a very familiar spotlight. The former North Carolina quarterback, a guy we saw last season with the Seattle Seahawks, was actually a starter for the Washington Commanders during the 2023 campaign. So, he’s no stranger to being the guy, even if it’s now the next man up for Dallas. For a team coming off a rough 7-9-1 finish and missing the playoffs for a second straight campaign, having a reliable backup is paramount. This is a big shift, putting Howell in a critical position from day one.
High Stakes for Dallas and Prescott
Dallas needs to get it together. Prescott, now in his 10th season with the Cowboys, had a big year statistically with 4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But those numbers didn’t translate into wins. A 7-9-1 record isn’t gonna cut it for a franchise that always talks Super Bowl. With Milton gone, Howell will presumably be the guy to step in if Prescott goes down. That’s a lot of trust to put in someone after such a swift decision. This move feels like Dallas saying they need a different kind of insurance policy for their season, betting on Howell to be that guy.
The Cowboys open their season against the New York Giants on September 13. All eyes will be on Prescott as they try to avoid a third straight playoff miss. But knowing Howell, a guy with experience from the Emerald City and D.C., is just a snap away adds a whole new layer to their opener. Will this roster shake-up finally spark something for Dallas, or will their backup QB situation create more questions? It’ll be interesting to watch how this plays out right from the start.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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