The Dallas Cowboys closed the preseason with a loss, but the bigger question now sits behind Dak Prescott. Their quarterback competition has taken a new turn after Sam Howell mounted a late comeback against the New Orleans Saints.
With roster decisions approaching, the Cowboys must decide whether experience or upside should define their QB2 spot.
Skip Bayless Doubts Joe Milton as Cowboys Weigh QB2 Choice
NFL analyst Skip Bayless questioned the Cowboys’ apparent preference for Joe Milton III after Dallas fell 27-24 to New Orleans on Friday.
He made his position clear, writing, “I’m sorry, I’m not quite sold on Joe Milton III as Dak’s backup. But Jerry seems to be. More exciting. Better box office. Hopefully Dak again stays healthy.”
I’m sorry, I’m not quite sold on Joe Milton III as Daq’s backup. But Jerry seems to be. More exciting. Better box office. Hopefully Dak again stays healthy.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 29, 2026
The comment came after Milton started the preseason finale but struggled to match his earlier production. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 92 yards, while Howell entered after halftime and gave Dallas a strong push. Howell finished 12-of-18 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring passes to Jordan Hudson and Mitch Van Vooren.
Milton still has a case because of what he showed earlier in the preseason. Against Seattle and Arizona, he completed 21 of 28 attempts for 286 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His performance against Arizona included 179 passing yards and two touchdowns, giving him momentum in the competition.
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Bayless, however, prefers Howell because of his NFL experience. Howell has 18 career starts from his time with Washington and three more with the Seahawks, giving him a larger sample of regular-season work if Prescott misses time.
Milton offers greater physical upside, but he has far less experience in meaningful NFL games.
That difference sits at the center of the Cowboys’ decision. Jerry Jones has spoken positively about both quarterbacks, while Bayless’ reference to “more exciting” and “better box office” takes a shot at the Cowboys owner’s apparent preference for Milton’s high-end physical tools.
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The competition also comes as Dallas reshaped its roster during an aggressive offseason. The Cowboys added Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, Von Miller, and Cobie Durant, while signing Howell to compete for the backup role. Dallas also hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator and extended Quinnen Williams through 2030.
Those moves followed a 7-9-1 finish in 2025 and reflected an effort to strengthen the roster around Prescott, who ranked sixth in PFN’s NFL QB Impact Rankings. The quarterback room remains unfinished, though, with the Saints game serving as the final audition before roster cuts.
Dallas opens its regular season Sept. 13 against the New York Giants. For now, the Cowboys must determine whether Milton’s upside or Howell’s experience gives them the better insurance policy behind Prescott.
