FRISCO, Texas — By almost any measure, Joe Milton III has seized the backup quarterback job, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer is not ready to make it official. He has completed 75% of his passes this preseason, accounting for four total touchdowns and leading the Dallas Cowboys to two convincing wins.
After Milton’s impressive performance in the Cowboys’ 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, where he went 9-of-13 for 179 yards and two touchdowns, Schottenheimer addressed the ongoing competition between Milton and Sam Howell. Schottenheimer’s message was clear: the backup QB battle continues.
“We don’t have to, and we’re not ready to make any decisions yet,” Schottenheimer said, according to multiple reports. He further elaborated on the state of the quarterback room, emphasizing that both players have earned his confidence.
“This is long from over,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “We’re going back to Frisco, thankfully, to get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. You’ve got to give Joe his credit, he’s played really well the past two games, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam as well.” But why, even after Milton’s good performance, is Schottenheimer not finalizing his decision on the QB room?
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Why head coach Brian Schottenheimer is pumping the brakes
Schottenheimer’s reluctance to name a starter stems from a belief that he has two capable options, not just one. He feels the Cowboys have two capable backup quarterbacks in Milton and Howell, and he is in no rush to eliminate one from the equation.
“Basically, we felt like Sam had been a little bit more consistent,” Schottenheimer said earlier in the preseason when explaining why Howell started the opener against Seattle.
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What does Schottenheimer think about QB Joe Milton III?
When asked about Milton III in a press conference on Monday, HC said, “I first remember hearing about Joe Milton when he was at the University of Michigan, and everyone applauded him for how hard and how far he could throw the ball. Cool. That’s awesome. Go be in a carnival somewhere. That’s not what playing an NFL quarterback is. It’s not. … You’re throwing through small windows, you’re throwing over people, you’re changing arm slots.”
Coach added, “So to me, arm strength is cool. Go to the fair and win a teddy bear. But you got to play quarterback. And that’s what I think you see Joe learning is that he’s playing quarterback. And he’s playing quarterback at a high level. He’s checking the ball down. He’s making blitz adjustments. He’s solving problems. He’s reading from his first, second to third, and even fourth progression at times. It takes time. You don’t stop learning as a quarterback. The only way to do it is to play. I’m really, really proud of him.”
Now, after Milton’s explosive showing in the 2026 preseason, the pendulum has swung. The head coach wants to see how the competition plays out throughout training camp, including the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.
There is also a practical roster consideration at play. Keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster requires significant “roster gymnastics,” which could force the Cowboys to cut depth at other positions, such as wide receiver, linebacker, or cornerback.
By keeping the competition open, Schottenheimer buys more time to evaluate not just the quarterbacks, but the entire roster picture before final cuts.
How this changes the Dallas Cowboys’ QB room dynamics
Schottenheimer’s public stance fundamentally shifts the narrative surrounding the quarterback room. While Milton has outplayed Howell statistically, the coach’s comments reinforce that the job is not won on preseason stats alone.
For Milton, who said he is now “way more comfortable” in the offense after knowing only 75-85% of the playbook last year, the message is that consistency matters as much as flash.
“Tonight was great,” Milton said. “I was able to go out there and showcase what I got, what we’ve been working hard towards this whole camp.” But Schottenheimer’s words make it clear that one great half, or even two, is not enough to close the door on Howell.
For Howell, the coach’s vote of confidence is a lifeline. Despite throwing a red-zone interception against the Cardinals, he has “done nothing to lose the job,” according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Schottenheimer’s public backing keeps Howell firmly in the race and signals to the locker room that the competition is genuine.
The biggest change, however, is the possibility that both quarterbacks make the final roster. By stating he feels he has two capable backups, Schottenheimer has opened the door to keeping three quarterbacks.
This would be a departure from the traditional model of carrying only two, but it reflects the value the coaching staff places on both players.
What’s next for the Cowboys QB room
The Cowboys have one more preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on August 28. Dak Prescott is unlikely to play, which means Milton and Howell will get one final opportunity to state their case.
Schottenheimer and his staff will then have to decide whether to keep two or three quarterbacks, and if they keep two, which one will be the primary backup to Prescott. For now, the head coach is comfortable letting the competition breathe.
