Joe Milton delivered another strong preseason performance for Dallas, putting real pressure on Sam Howell in the Cowboys’ battle to back up Dak Prescott.

The Dallas Cowboys don’t have a quarterback controversy at the top.

Dak Prescott is QB1.

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But behind him, things are getting interesting fast.

Joe Milton III made another strong case to become Dallas’ backup quarterback Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Sam Howell.

Howell finished 7 of 10 for 65 yards with an interception.

That doesn’t officially end the competition.

Cowboys vs. Cardinals Reaction: Joe Milton Just Changed Everything | Daily Blitz Postgame

It does make the momentum pretty obvious.

Milton has now stacked together multiple strong preseason appearances after also playing well in relief of Howell in the opener. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged that progress, saying Milton has put together “two good halves” while still insisting the battle remains open.

“This is long from over,” Schottenheimer said.

That may be true on the depth chart.

On the field, though, Milton is forcing the issue.

His arm talent has never been the question. The intrigue has always been whether he could consistently process the offense, play on time and avoid the wild stretches that sometimes followed him earlier in his career.

This version looks more settled.

Milton joined Dallas late in the 2025 preseason and has since had a full year to learn the offense, work with the coaching staff and get comfortable with what the Cowboys are asking him to do.

He says the difference is significant.

That’s showing up in the games.

Howell still has an experience advantage, and Schottenheimer made it clear Dallas remains confident in him. One preseason interception isn’t going to erase his résumé or automatically decide a competition.

But backup quarterback battles are often decided by momentum and trust.

Right now, Milton is creating both.

The Cowboys will return to Frisco for more camp work before final roster decisions are made, giving both quarterbacks additional opportunities to separate themselves.

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Still, Milton has already accomplished the most important thing he could’ve hoped for this preseason:

He’s made the Cowboys seriously think about it.

And if his next few practices look anything like his last two games, Dallas may have a very easy decision to make.