Cowboys projected to make fascinating QB decision for 53-man roster

The Dallas Cowboys are going to be starting Dak Prescott this upcoming season; there is not one single question about that. But behind him, there is a lot of uncertainty.

Not necessarily the bad kind either. Both Sam Howell and Joe Milton III are competing for the QB2 job to be Prescott's backup. It's been a tight competition, and after two weeks of the preseason, it's yet to be decided.

While ESPN's Todd Archer didn't project who would be QB2 for the Cowboys, he is projecting that they make a fascinating roster decision to keep all three QBs, instead of moving on from one to help fill out the roster elsewhere.

Cowboys projected to keep three QBs on 53-man roster

"Maybe in a perfect world the Cowboys would rather go with two quarterbacks, but Milton and Howell have fared well, and if quarterback is the most important spot on the team, then maybe it's wise to keep three."

Prescott is the starter, and while Milton might have the current advantage in the QB2 battle, it's still up for grabs.

While it would not be a surprise if one of these backup QB options were to be cut or traded, the Cowboys could elect to keep them both as good insurance at the QB spot.

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During the preseason so far, Milton has gone 21-for-28 for 286 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Howell, meanwhile, has gone 15-for-22 for 159 yards with one TD and one INT.

Howell is looking like the odd-man out if there was one, but if they cut him, he could leave for a new team, and it would not be a surprise.

Instead of risking losing Howell, or Milton if he became the odd-man out, keeping all three QBs would make some sense.

Their roster spots would become a little bit tighter, but if the Cowboys could find a trade with a different player, or take a risk elsewhere, it might be worth it to feel a bit more comfortable at the quarterback position heading into 2026.

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