# Cowboys backup QB competition "neck and neck" heading into preseason finale

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-25 13:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
The Dallas Cowboys remain undecided on their backup quarterback, with Joe Milton and Sam Howell locked in a tight race heading into the preseason finale.

## Intelligence Brief
The Dallas Cowboys are currently facing a decision regarding their secondary quarterback position as they approach the end of the preseason. According to reports from NFL.com and NBC Sports, the competition for the backup role behind starter Dak Prescott has reached a critical stage. Brian Schottenheimer has explicitly described the contest between Joe Milton and Sam Howell as being "neck and neck," indicating that neither player has established a definitive lead over the other as the final preseason game looms. The organization is tasked with determining which of these two athletes will officially serve as the QB2 for the upcoming season. Coverage of this competition is widespread across sports media, with NFL.com and NBC Sports highlighting the competitive parity between the candidates. The Dallas Cowboys' own official communications echo this sentiment, noting that Brian Schottenheimer feels confident in the team's current position because they possess two capable backup quarterbacks in Milton and Howell.


Additionally, Cowboys Wire has focused on the specifics of the race, questioning whether Milton or Howell holds a slight edge, while also mentioning a belief in Barham within the broader team context. ProFootballRumors.com confirms that the team remains undecided on who will ultimately secure the spot. This competition is significant because the backup quarterback must be prepared to step in for Dak Prescott, the established starter. The internal debate between Joe Milton and Sam Howell represents a choice between different skill sets or trajectories. The fact that Schottenheimer views both players as capable suggests that the team is not merely looking for a placeholder but is evaluating who provides the best strategic support for the primary offensive leader. This evaluation process has continued throughout the preseason, leading to the current state of indecision reported by multiple outlets.


Attention now shifts to the preseason finale, which serves as the final opportunity for Joe Milton and Sam Howell to distinguish themselves before the final roster cuts. Based on the coverage from NBC Sports and NFL.com, the outcome of this final exhibition game will likely be the deciding factor in the "neck and neck" race. Observers will be looking for a performance that breaks the current deadlock and allows the Cowboys coaching staff to finalize their depth chart. Whether Milton or Howell emerges as the primary backup remains the central question as the team concludes its preseason preparations.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | From carnival act to legitimacy, the rise and development of Dallas Cowboys QB Joe Milton | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQODBrSElUVmtCVmNQVEZvMWEwS29vMFRSSkxBWjh6WWtKVUFOTGVzSDk1WkZ2NURQZF9mY1Q5OHJsQnBfeXQwbGJZMndnYklrZEljT1Z1UlpFMHVpNndKLVU1ZC05MWlvUlhSUlZJQ2J4YzRKT3Nrc1NrNEhYTmdIbUJYUkxuOHkxNlZVNGdzcDM2Szg?oc=5) |
| heavy.com | Cowboys QB Faces Bad News Entering Saints Preseason Finale | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxPOWQxWU5BRG81d0xyLXE2UjZrRDFTVG5yZEhUY0x1dlRGWVM5ZjFvc0pEX0JCSkFxSW9NYzMxelNTMjF6aWpiRXp1UWFGMERDN3hHenl5WmpQR3JINHJmSldJY1JYWExtSEF3VDBQNXI0UmRKVUVxMnNNVHpCOFZVdUVudjk4bDhz?oc=5) |
| NFL Rumors - ProFootballRumors.com | Cowboys Undecided On Backup QB | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTFA0YmVzMlFZT0VuWWxkczFiZFIyZE9DOTVoU201R3YzYmV6Q3dQLXh4X3VRODlMYUEya0FRbzFhNTRBcWpvN1loYmZzeGNTY1RkNTVjaVRhV05EbTc4aWIwLXpLNUw2YkJDQ1ZEZUl2SVZhZmNCTDN0UXBOb20?oc=5) |
| Cowboys Wire | Cowboys Headlines: Believing in Barham; does Milton or Howell have edge in QB2 race? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4wFBVV95cUxOUXB2dzhTSzZOcm13eHBGSm9weG8xbkRLOVVuWDJQUDF6TV9KYk9KSVJ3dWY4WHFOemk1YXMyZFVrNHhuOXpJbnRKMTVZT3owNFF2V21vSEIwdkdRMVk4NVU4TzNWeUVfN2VqNDlMMVNINUFZUXctSFlDQXBibngtZ1J2eGJzSFRKUjd5TXVzdnhiSjBBZUlXY1Z3dUFTbV83dFlpREh0LW1uQUd1SG94ZmVlZWxaZk9lcURsZS04emlZRE5oQ2tOMTlweXlJaXJWSkl1aVFJZ0lGU2ZBemo4T1pldw?oc=5) |
| NFL.com | Brian Schottenheimer: Joe Milton, Sam Howell 'neck and neck' for Cowboys' backup QB role behind Dak Prescott | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxNazF4SHpGcU9LMml2UTZlM211R0VqcEpzeFJsbjdIbDR2MWFvVkNraHBFTEJyQWpEemU2aGJpM2hJQ0xsMVVxbHdOVGhDcTZHUnUtQkZheE5udGpyTHBMWkl4RE9wR05Jd3kzUHRlaFpvYTZUeE5VbnhWTkl1T1d3WTh4NmNBZkY4SlY0VjlHdzB3U0FXM2t5X05ZcHR0WU5sOU1sZFNCRzNGRE1IS3JOTnVsM1JMa3NuLUVhOVV3VXdlQ1ZXZl80?oc=5) |
| Dallas Cowboys | Brian Schottenheimer confident Cowboys have two capable backup QBs in Milton, Howell | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxOMlBYVGVSRjhYWU1PQnlMNmU4SFNjRUhvVFlWRDNRZW9TbVVtNXRPalRaU0R2OHVNWUd1Y1JRa2dfNkZtQTFGOUZPb04zSXZwZW1nNkpVSk9LVzMya0IzMFUwTm4wQ1hJbEV1OGt0dmJhSGZsSExNTld6clVUVExyWDVJTzg2ZlJpUC1RV3V5RHFxOXVZY2ZYdjU1UVNsNnFuUWZwR0xFVnI4ZXBQYlpFbWU5SVJpRDRMbXc?oc=5) |
| NBC Sports | Cowboys backup QB competition "neck and neck" heading into preseason finale | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0AFBVV95cUxQZUNzYU8yWWFFbUliSElDdzNJaUs5VHJ1Nl9nRldLSzRYdFc0N3FGWklJZGZrMzdkaVo1QWZyMU9IbXdfMFQxX3l2M0VRUFhyb1VNNWhEbkJVUUtKYjJOdWc5OExkM3pWSE9icFdkaWpUUVhDdW1YUmFabVpLVzNBNFZ4Sm1YZXlkRTRCczJWUlBFR1RBejFUVDY4MjFJcTZ0OUVKM2JNYjZaTVoyNURfd1haRkpjWEpIZDRHU3lWY3hZQWtYV2hjM1IwdEQ0TVZp?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-25/cowboys-backup-qb-competition-neck-and-neck-heading-into-preseason-finale*