FRISCO, Texas — Sam Howell knows a little something about playing professional football in the NFC East. Once he placed his signature on a shiny new contract for the Dallas Cowboys, he instantly became one of only a few players to do so for three different teams within the same division.
As a former fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2022, his first NFL start came against the Cowboys on Jan. 8, 2023, before eventually finding his way to the Eagles in 2025, after a trade with the Minnesota Vikings sent him to Philadelphia.
A one-year deal brings him to Dallas in 2026, and there's a specific reason this destination means so much to the 25-year-old quarterback.
"It's been great, getting in the building and getting to know everybody," Howell told DallasCowboys.com. "Dallas was my team growing up, so it's a dream come true to be here and to be a Dallas Cowboy. It's been a crazy couple of days, but I'm glad this is where it ended."
He'll now learn from and behind All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Dak Prescott, going forward; and that alone is something Howell is very much looking forward to.
"I have a lot of respect for Dak," he said. "He's been a tremendous player in this league. He's someone I have a lot of respect for. I love the way he plays the game.
"I love the way he throws the football, the way he leads this team. He's a guy I look up to in this league, and I look forward to watching him up close this year."
To make room for Howell, the Cowboys again parted ways with off-and-on backup Will Grier, pitting Howell against Joe Milton — the latter having been acquired via trade with the New England Patriots one year ago — in the battle for the right to be the immediate backup to Prescott.
Howell says his focus is inward, not outward, in that QB2 competition.
"I just try to be the best version of myself," he said. "I just try to keep my head down and go to work every single day, and try not to worry so much about what the outcomes are. I just try to be the best version of myself everyday, and let the results take care of themselves."
