Cowboys' backup quarterback competition has been heating up, and it appears that Sam Howell has taken the lead. In a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Howell completed 8 of his 12 passes for 94 yards, including a touchdown connection with wide receiver Camden Brown.
Veteran analyst Skip Bayless believes Howell has the inside track to secure the QB2 spot, citing his experience and trustworthiness. Bayless wrote on social media, "I'll take Sam Howell slightly over Joe Milton as Cowboys backup QB. Milton is bigger, faster w/ a stronger arm. But Howell has played far more NFL football – 18 starts – so I'd trust him a little more if he had to play 3-4 games. Howell looked pretty good in tonight's 1st half."
Howell's performance has also earned praise from former North Carolina head coach Mack Brown, who tweeted, "So proud of Sam Howell as he leads the Cowboys to a TD @ Seattle. Great UNC QB but much better person. Love ❤️ you Sam!" The 24-year-old quarterback was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and became the team's starter during his second season, making 17 starts.
Despite the Commanders finishing with a disappointing 4-13 record, Howell showed flashes of promise throughout the campaign. He owns a career completion rate of 62.6%, along with 4,139 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes. Since leaving the Commanders, Howell has bounced around the league, spending time with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. Now with Dallas, Howell seems to fit well within the Cowboys' offensive system.
The competition between Howell and Joe Milton for the backup quarterback spot remains ongoing. However, with Bayless and Brown's praise, it's clear that Howell is making a strong case for himself. The Cowboys will continue to monitor the situation, and it will be interesting to see how the competition unfolds.
As the preseason comes to a close, the Cowboys will look to finalize their roster and make a decision on their backup quarterback spot. With Howell's impressive performance, it's likely that he will be the one to secure the QB2 role. However, the decision ultimately lies with the team's coaching staff, and only time will tell who will emerge as the top backup quarterback.
Source: Yahoo Sports