Cowboys Sign Former NFC Starter Sam Howell – Dak Prescott’s Latest Move Shocks the Entire NFL

Sam Howell, who was the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders throughout the 2023 season, impressed by playing all 17 games that year. Despite his team facing some struggles, Howell stood out as a young quarterback with great situational awareness and flexibility in managing the ball.

While many teams are looking for quarterbacks with stability and experience, the Cowboys surprised everyone by choosing Howell, who spent the 2025 season as a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles. This shows that the Cowboys see potential in him and want to create real competition for the backup QB position.

In the 2025 season, Howell didn’t have many opportunities to play as he was a backup to Jalen Hurts at the Eagles. Before that, he went through three trades in just two years, from the Commanders to the Seahawks and then to the Vikings, showing the instability in his career. However, after these moves, Howell decided to join the Cowboys, hoping for a chance to prove himself.

By joining the Cowboys, Howell will face stiff competition for the backup role behind Dak Prescott. However, he still has a chance to prove himself. Many believe that if Prescott faces injury or a dip in performance, Howell might step up and even take over the starting role in the future.

Dak Prescott, who has been the key QB for the Cowboys for many seasons, may see this competition as a positive move for the team. However, with the addition of a player like Howell, Prescott may feel additional pressure to maintain his form and not let the rookie take over his spot.

With a roster that already includes Dak Prescott and Will Grier, do the Cowboys really need a QB like Howell? This move could signal preparation for the long term, as the Cowboys might not only want a strong backup QB but also want to ensure they have a suitable replacement should Prescott face any issues throughout the season.

Signing Sam Howell not only changes the QB situation for the Cowboys but also reflects the team’s goal for the 2026 season: to strengthen the roster and create healthy competition. Having multiple QBs could make the team more flexible in its strategy and ensure they find the best fit for the job when needed.

Adding Sam Howell to the Cowboys’ roster is not just a surprising move, but also demonstrates the team’s determination to build a strong and constantly improving roster. The competition between Prescott and the other QBs could give the Cowboys an advantage in the future, creating a deeper team for offensive strategies.