Breaking News: Cowboys Predicted to Cut Ties With Veteran Despite $2.5 Million Guarantee
FRISCO, TX – The Dallas Cowboys are staring down a brutal roster decision that epitomizes the harsh mathematics of the NFL salary cap. Despite signing quarterback Sam Howell to a one-year, $2.5 million fully guaranteed contract this offseason, mounting evidence suggests the team is preparing to cut ties with the veteran signal-caller before the regular season begins .
The move, while financially painful, is being framed as a necessary “roster gymnastics” exercise as the Cowboys look to balance depth across multiple positions. The primary driver? The unexpected emergence of Joe Milton as a legitimate QB2, coupled with a logjam at receiver and a defense desperate for bodies.
The Milton Factor
Sam Howell has done nothing wrong. By all accounts, he has been steady throughout training camp. But steady isn’t enough when the player behind you has been “brilliant.”
Joe Milton, acquired via trade, has seized the momentum in the backup quarterback race. After a preseason performance against the Arizona Cardinals where he went 9-for-13 for 179 yards, two touchdowns through the air, and a rushing score, the conversation has shifted .
“Milton’s command of the offense is so much greater than it was in 2025, and the results have been telling,” wrote ESPN’s Todd Archer . While Coach Brian Schottenheimer insists the competition is “long from over,” the buzz inside the facility is that Milton’s arm strength, poise, and decision-making have left a lasting impression .
Howell, despite a $2.5 million guarantee, is the odd man out in a numbers game .
The Roster Gymnastics Explanation
Keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is a luxury the Cowboys cannot afford in 2026. The team is facing an unprecedented battle for depth at wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback—positions that require more bodies than a third-string quarterback.
The emergence of Jonathan Mingo and undrafted rookie Camden Brown has created a compelling case for the Cowboys to carry six wide receivers . Mingo, acquired via trade in 2024, has been solid on offense and special teams. Brown, meanwhile, has been a camp darling with spectacular catches, making it risky for the Cowboys to expose him to waivers .
Coach Schottenheimer recently named 10 players who exceeded expectations in camp, including Brown and Mingo, suggesting the team may go long at receiver to protect their assets . Going long at receiver means going short elsewhere—likely at quarterback .
Similarly, the running back room is crowded. Malik Davis has looked like the team’s most consistent back, while Jaydon Blue and Hunter Luepke are locks. This likely spells the end for rookie Phil Mafah . With four running backs set to make the roster, there is simply no room for a third quarterback.
The Salary Cap Reality
While Howell’s $2.5 million is guaranteed—meaning the Cowboys will pay him whether he is on the roster or not—keeping him would incur an additional cap hit that the team simply cannot absorb . The franchise is already navigating severe salary cap constraints, currently estimated to be nearly $57 million over the cap after applying the franchise tag to George Pickens .
The Cowboys have already begun cutting veteran players to create space. Linebacker Logan Wilson, acquired at the trade deadline, was released in February, saving $6.5 million . Wilson, a former Super Bowl starter, appeared in just seven games and was a healthy scratch in Week 16, further proving that the Cowboys are ruthless when evaluating cost versus production .
Other veterans on the chopping block include right tackle Terence Steele (potential $8.75 million savings) and safety Malik Hooker (potential $6.9 million savings) . The financial pressure is intense, and a third-string quarterback is viewed as a liability.
The Terence Steele Precedent
The decision to potentially cut Howell mirrors the predicament facing right tackle Terence Steele. Steele has been a stalwart for six seasons, starting 91 games, but his recent struggles have been glaring . Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams admitted Steele’s performance has been “up and down” during camp, and Coach Schottenheimer has been critical of his pad level and ability to set the edge .
If the Cowboys are willing to part with a veteran offensive tackle who has been a fixture on the line, they are certainly willing to move on from a backup quarterback signed just months ago . The team is ushering in a new era where competition trumps tenure and financial investment.
What’s Next for Howell?
If released, Howell will become a free agent. Despite the loss of guaranteed money, his $2.5 million contract makes him an attractive target for teams needing veteran depth . The guarantee provides a financial safety net, but it won’t keep him on the Cowboys’ roster.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, will rely on Milton as the primary backup to Dak Prescott. While risky, it signals a coaching staff that is willing to gamble on potential over reliability.
The Bottom Line
The Cowboys are predicted to cut Sam Howell because the math doesn’t add up. The $2.5 million guarantee is a sunk cost. The real decision is about the final roster spot: a third quarterback or a sixth wide receiver? A luxury or a necessity?
For a team staring down a brutal salary cap and a defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL, the choice is clear. The Cowboys are choosing depth, upside, and roster flexibility over a safety net. And in the unforgiving landscape of the NFL, conviction often costs more than a guaranteed check.
