Growing up a Cowboys fan, Sam Howell’s next NFL stop is a bit more special
In the early days of free agency, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising addition in signing quarterback Sam Howell to a one-year deal. Heading into the second season of Joe Milton being the presumed backup to Dak Prescott, Howell provides immediate competition in training camp and preseason to the depth of the room.
In just four seasons in the NFL, Howell has experienced a lot. From being the full-time starter in 2023 for the Washington Commanders to being the backup for the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 and 2025, Howell is looking for his permanent NFL home, and he’s hoping it’s in Dallas with head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“That would be great,” Howell said. “I’ve done a lot of moving. I’ve learned a lot from a lot of different places. Dallas is a great place. I’m excited to get there and work with Schotty, he’s a guy I have a lot of respect for. Dak is a guy I have a lot of respect for and the way he plays the game and the success he’s had. I’d love the opportunity to be here as long as they want me here.”
“That season [as the full-time starter] was good to get out there and start 17 games. I obviously learned a lot. There are a lot of things that I wish I could go back and do differently. Those mistakes I made definitely made me better for the future. I got to throw the ball a lot. Those reps were always good. I turned the ball over too much and tried to make things happen late in games, but I definitely learned a lot in game management and winning football.”
When it came to deciding between a few options in free agency, the opportunity to work with Schottenheimer appealed to him the most.
“It’s more so about the people,” he said. “In my career, I feel like I can play a lot of good football. I feel like I have a lot of football ahead of me. I just think the ability to be developed by Schotty was very enticing to me.”
“I know some guys that have been around him a lot, and everyone that knows him talks so highly of him. In my short talks with him, he knows the quarterback position so well. I watch a couple of teams on film every week, and the Cowboys are one of them just to see what they’re doing. I have a lot of respect for what he’s done throughout his career.”
While Howell has only met Milton in pass-by situations after games, this will be the first time the two have spent time together. He has a lot of respect for his now teammate and is entering Dallas with only the expectation of helping to make the room around him better.
“A lot of respect for Joe,” he said. “I know Joe is a super talented guy. He seems like a great dude. I’m just excited to be there and to make the room better. We’ll try to make each other better every single day. That’s the mentality and mindset I’ll have coming in. At the end of the day, we’re there to support Dak and help Dak and get better along the way.”
Of all of Howell’s NFL stops so far, this one is a bit more special to him and his family. Growing up in North Carolina, Howell’s dad grew up a Cowboys fan, and that was passed down to Howell during the Tony Romo days of his childhood.
“My dad grew up a big Cowboys fan,” he said. “Unfortunately, not too many good memories growing up, but I was a huge fan growing up. I loved Tony Romo. I loved watching Romo play. Even when I was in college, I loved watching Dak play.”
Now, Howell will be able to sit alongside one of his favorite quarterbacks for the 2026 season.
