The Dallas Cowboys are making another change at quarterback after a disappointing 2-4 start to the 2026 NFL season. Following a 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas signed veteran quarterback Kyle Trask to its practice squad on Oct. 20, adding depth behind Dak Prescott and backup Sam Howell.
The move came after the Philadelphia Eagles signed Joe Milton away from Dallas’ practice squad. With Milton now joining a division rival ahead of their Week 7 meeting, the Cowboys needed another quarterback to help maintain depth at one of football’s most important positions.
The latest transaction does not signal a change at starter. Prescott remains Dallas’ established quarterback, while Howell continues to occupy the backup role. Instead, the addition of Trask gives the Cowboys another option as they prepare for a crucial stretch of their season.
Kyle Trask joins Dallas after Joe Milton’s departure
The Cowboys added Trask on Tuesday, filling the practice-squad opening left by Milton. The transaction gives Dallas additional quarterback depth without requiring an immediate change to its active roster.
Trask was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent 4 seasons with Tampa Bay from 2021 through 2024, re-signed with the Buccaneers in March 2025 and was released before the 2025 regular season. He later joined the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad and spent part of the 2026 offseason with the Carolina Panthers.
Despite his draft pedigree, Trask has limited NFL experience. He has appeared in 7 regular-season games without making a start, so his signing represents a depth move rather than an established alternative to Prescott.
Why the Eagles’ move forced Dallas to respond
Milton’s departure created an unexpected development for Dallas because Philadelphia signed him directly from the Cowboys’ practice squad. NFL rules require a team signing another club’s practice-squad player to place him on its active roster.
The timing added an unusual storyline to the teams’ upcoming divisional matchup. Milton could now prepare to face the Cowboys while learning a new offense in Philadelphia, where quarterback depth had become a pressing concern.
For Dallas, losing Milton meant replacing a familiar practice participant who had already spent time learning the team’s system. Signing Trask gives the coaching staff another arm for practice and insurance against unforeseen quarterback availability problems.
Dak Prescott remains the centerpiece of the offense
Prescott remains the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, and there has been no announcement that Dallas intends to change its starter following the team’s difficult opening six games. The latest transaction concerns depth, not the starting position.
The veteran quarterback entered 2026 as the leader of an offense featuring wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Dallas expected that group to produce consistently, but recent performances have raised questions about the unit’s execution.
The 23-13 defeat to Green Bay illustrated the challenge. Dallas scored only 13 points, leaving the offense under scrutiny as the team looks for a more effective approach against the Philadelphia Eagles and its upcoming opponents.
Sam Howell continues as the backup quarterback
Howell won the backup job during the preseason competition with Milton. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the decision came down to consistency and executing the offense, making Howell the preferred option behind Prescott.
The former Washington Commanders starter brings previous NFL starting experience to the position. That background matters because a backup may need to step in with little preparation if the starter is injured or unavailable.
Trask’s arrival does not automatically change Howell’s standing. Unless the Cowboys announce another personnel decision, Howell remains the immediate backup, while Trask provides an additional practice-squad option who can become familiar with Dallas’ offensive system.
Dallas faces pressure after a 2-4 start
The Cowboys’ 2-4 record after six games has increased pressure on the coaching staff. A loss to Green Bay extended concerns about the team’s ability to turn its offensive talent into consistent results.
Dallas has struggled to balance its scoring production with defensive problems. The team’s overall performance has made every roster move more noticeable, even when the transaction addresses depth rather than the starting lineup.
Still, a practice-squad signing should not be mistaken for a sweeping overhaul. Trask’s addition offers flexibility, but the Cowboys will need better execution across the roster if they hope to recover from their difficult start.
The Eagles matchup adds another layer to the story
Dallas is preparing to face Philadelphia in a Week 7 Monday night matchup, giving the quarterback transactions an immediate divisional connection. Milton’s move places him with the Cowboys’ upcoming opponent rather than leaving him available in Dallas.
Philadelphia’s quarterback situation also influenced the move. With Jalen Hurts sidelined after doctors identified a blood clot in his leg, the Eagles added Milton to strengthen their options behind Tanner McKee.
The circumstances create an unusual subplot, but the Cowboys cannot afford to focus on personnel drama. Their priority is preparing for a divisional opponent while correcting the mistakes that contributed to the early-season losses.
What Trask could bring to the Cowboys
Trask’s strongest immediate value may be his ability to give Dallas another quarterback for practices. The coaching staff can evaluate his command of the offense, decision-making and familiarity with terminology before considering any larger role.
His college background offers an interesting detail. Trask played at the University of Florida, where he emerged as a prominent quarterback during the 2020 season and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
That success helped make him a second-round NFL draft selection. However, college achievements do not guarantee professional success, and his limited game experience means Dallas will need to assess what he can contribute within its current system.
The quarterback room is deeper, but questions remain
Dallas has addressed the immediate vacancy created by Milton’s departure, but the signing alone will not resolve the team’s larger concerns. Prescott’s performance, offensive consistency and the defense’s ability to limit opponents will remain central to the season’s outlook.
The practice squad gives the Cowboys room to evaluate Trask without committing to an active-roster role. If circumstances change, the team can reassess its options based on performance, injuries and the needs of upcoming matchups.
For now, the transaction is a practical response to an unexpected roster change. The Cowboys have added an experienced professional to their practice group, while the responsibility for turning around their season remains with the team as a whole.
Fun fact: The Dallas Cowboys started their NFL journey in 1960, failing to win a single game in their inaugural season.
TL;DR
- The Dallas Cowboys signed quarterback Kyle Trask to their practice squad on Oct. 20, 2026.
- The move followed the Philadelphia Eagles’ signing of Joe Milton from Dallas’ practice squad.
- Dak Prescott remains the starter, with Sam Howell continuing as the primary backup.
- Trask was a second-round pick in 2021 but has appeared in only 7 NFL games without a start.
- Dallas enters Week 7 at 2-4 and needs improved execution to regain momentum.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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