Joe Milton may have just TAKEN CONTROL of the Dallas Cowboys QB2 battle. The Cowboys rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 in preseason action, and Milton delivered one of his strongest arguments yet for why he—not Sam Howell—should be Dak Prescott’s backup when the 2026 NFL regular season begins. On this postgame episode of Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast, host James Duncan breaks down Joe Milton’s breakout performance, Sam Howell’s struggles and an impressive night from several young players on the Dallas Cowboys defense. Milton finished with 179 passing yards, completed 69.2% of his passes and accounted for three total touchdowns as the Cowboys offense came alive. More importantly, Milton looked confident and in control while creating explosive plays and connecting with receivers including Camden Brown and Jonathan Mingo. Is the Cowboys QB2 battle OVER? Sam Howell entered the preseason bringing significantly more NFL starting experience, but turnovers and inconsistency against Arizona opened the door for Milton to make his move. Joe Milton has always possessed the size, mobility and massive arm. If the consistency and decision-making are starting to catch up with those physical tools, Dallas could have a legitimate weapon sitting behind Dak Prescott. And Milton wasn't the Cowboys' only young player making a STATEMENT. Shavon Revel Jr. came away with an interception as the young cornerback continues pushing for a major role in the Dallas secondary. Jaishawn Barham brought physicality at linebacker after returning from injury, giving Christian Parker another intriguing young defender to work into the rotation. Through two preseason games, the Cowboys defense has surrendered just 20 total points. Dallas looks faster, deeper and more opportunistic—but questions remain about whether the cornerback room has enough depth entering the regular season. Who raised his stock the MOST against Arizona? Has Joe Milton officially won QB2 over Sam Howell? Is Shavon Revel Jr. ready for a major role? And just how good can this young Cowboys defense become? Cowboys Nation, I'm asking you directly: JOE MILTON or SAM HOWELL at QB2? Drop your answer in the comments. Join James Duncan on Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, postgame reactions, preseason coverage, roster battles, Dak Prescott analysis and everything surrounding America’s Team. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts and listen daily for quick-hit Cowboys coverage from a passionate fan perspective. #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #JoeMilton #SamHowell #DakPrescott #CowboysCardinals #ShavonRevel #JaishawnBarham #CamdenBrown #CowboysPreseason #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #NFL #DC4L #LockedOnCowboys Part of the Locked On Podcast Network
Joe Milton may have just TAKEN CONTROL of the Dallas Cowboys QB2 battle. The Cowboys rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 in preseason action, and Milton delivered one of his strongest arguments yet for why he—not Sam Howell—should be Dak Prescott’s backup when the 2026 NFL regular season begins.
On this postgame episode of Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast, host James Duncan breaks down Joe Milton’s breakout performance, Sam Howell’s struggles and an impressive night from several young players on the Dallas Cowboys defense.
Milton finished with 179 passing yards, completed 69.2% of his passes and accounted for three total touchdowns as the Cowboys offense came alive. More importantly, Milton looked confident and in control while creating explosive plays and connecting with receivers including Camden Brown and Jonathan Mingo.
Is the Cowboys QB2 battle OVER?
Sam Howell entered the preseason bringing significantly more NFL starting experience, but turnovers and inconsistency against Arizona opened the door for Milton to make his move. Joe Milton has always possessed the size, mobility and massive arm. If the consistency and decision-making are starting to catch up with those physical tools, Dallas could have a legitimate weapon sitting behind Dak Prescott.
And Milton wasn't the Cowboys' only young player making a STATEMENT.
Shavon Revel Jr. came away with an interception as the young cornerback continues pushing for a major role in the Dallas secondary. Jaishawn Barham brought physicality at linebacker after returning from injury, giving Christian Parker another intriguing young defender to work into the rotation.
Through two preseason games, the Cowboys defense has surrendered just 20 total points. Dallas looks faster, deeper and more opportunistic—but questions remain about whether the cornerback room has enough depth entering the regular season.
Who raised his stock the MOST against Arizona? Has Joe Milton officially won QB2 over Sam Howell? Is Shavon Revel Jr. ready for a major role? And just how good can this young Cowboys defense become?
Cowboys Nation, I'm asking you directly: JOE MILTON or SAM HOWELL at QB2? Drop your answer in the comments.
Join James Duncan on Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, postgame reactions, preseason coverage, roster battles, Dak Prescott analysis and everything surrounding America’s Team. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts and listen daily for quick-hit Cowboys coverage from a passionate fan perspective.
#DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #JoeMilton #SamHowell #DakPrescott #CowboysCardinals #ShavonRevel #JaishawnBarham #CamdenBrown #CowboysPreseason #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #NFL #DC4L #LockedOnCowboys
Part of the Locked On Podcast Network