QB · PHI · 38 yrs · exp 15 · TCU
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman discusses the team's quarterback depth chart and the value of keeping four QBs, but declines to name who will be Jalen Hurts' backup in Week 1
The Eagles are keeping all four of their quarterbacks on the 53-player roster to start the regular season. Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton and Cole Payton are all on the 53-man roster that Philadelphia released after today’s roster cutdown deadline. Hurts was obviously going to make it, and the Eagles love the potential of Payton, a talented rookie who was a better runner than passer in college. McKee and Dalton were competing to be the No. 2 behind Hurts, and the Eagles apparently decided they’ve both earned a roster spot, at least for now. The Eagles released LB Chance Campbell. WR Britain Covey, WR Danny Gray, OLB Tarron Jackson, G Michael Jordan, RB Dameon Pierce, TE Stone Smartt, CB Ambry Thomas. CB Shaun Wade and WR Quez Watkins. The Eagles waived DT Uar Bernard. DT David Blay. CB Isaiah Bolden, C Zeke Correll, WR Erik Ezukanma, LB Brandon George, DB Kapena Gushiken, DT Gabe Hall, T/G Myles Hinton, OLB Keyshawn James-Newby, TE Cameron Latu, LB Deontae Lawson, DB Jaylen Mahoney, C/G Jake Majors, RB Jordan Mims, T John Ojukwu, S Maximus Pulley, OLB Jose Ramirez S Andre’ Sam, RB Carson Steele, WR Samari Toure, WR Tahj Washington, OLB Joshua Weru T Cameron Williams, DT Zion Wilson and S Cole Wisniewski. They placed CB Jakorian Bennett and TE Grant Calcaterra on injured reserve with a return designation
Adds: Andy Dalton
The author believes Tanner McKee should be the Eagles' backup quarterback due to concerns about Andy Dalton's performance
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stated that the competition for the QB2 position between veteran Andy Dalton and second-year player Tanner McKee is ongoing. While Dalton has seen earlier reps in preseason games due to his experience, both quarterbacks are rotating in practice and receiving opportunities in games to allow McKee to develop further. McKee had a more statistically productive outing in the recent preseason game, completing 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, drawing praise from Sirianni despite some areas needing correction
As the Browns and Raiders work through their starting quarterbacks for Week 1, the Eagles are still trying to figure out their QB2
Nick Sirianni said the Eagles' QB competition is still up for grabs
Tanner McKee outplayed Jalen Dalton in the Eagles' preseason loss
The Saints have lost another key player, this time an offensive playmaker
Adds: Andy Dalton
Neither Andy Dalton nor Tanner McKee distinguished themselves in their competition for the Eagles' backup quarterback position during Saturday night's game
Saints vs. Jaguars: Ups and downs from the preseason matchup
Undrafted rookie center Willie Lampkin, initially a standout for the Rams in the preseason before an injury, is now impressing the Eagles. Claimed off waivers and spending last season rehabbing, Lampkin is showing his talent again in this year's preseason, drawing attention for his tenacious blocking, particularly against larger defensive linemen. Despite his undersized stature, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has noted Lampkin's consistent improvement and strong performance
Who has the QB advantage going into Saturdays preseason game between the Saints and Jaguars
Here are today's Saints news links
Drops: Andy Dalton
Eli Stowers has a quiet start to training camp, mostly working with the second-team offense
The Saints suffered another injury, but the extent of the damage is unknown
Caleb Yaccarino's thoughts on the 2026 Saints roster
Taking a closer look at Eagles' backup QB battle in 2026 training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia We’re getting close to Eagles training camp so we’re taking a look at five notable camp competitions this summer. We already took a look at safety , receiver , offensive line and edge rusher . Up today: Backup QB. No matter what you think about Jalen Hurts or where you would rank him on the dozens of QB lists that come out, he’s clearly the Eagles’ franchise quarterback. He’s a Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl MVP and the unquestioned leader of the 2026 Eagles. But it’s a little tougher to figure out the backup spot in 2026. Because while Tanner McKee is returning for his fourth season after being the primary backup in 2025, the Eagles also added veteran Andy Dalton in a trade in March. During the spring, those two were splitting reps working with the No. 2 offense. So this looks like a competition. Let’s get into it: Tanner McKee Age: 26 Experience: Year 4 Size: 6-foot-6, 231 The Eagles always want to invest in the quarterback position and they did that in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, selecting McKee with the No. 188 overall pick out of Stanford. Getting a trustworthy backup QB in the sixth round is seen by the organization as a clear-cut win. McKee was the third-stringer in 2023 and 2024 behind Marcus Mariota and Kenny Pickett but became the backup in 2025. McKee’s only start in 2024 went well but his Week 18 performance last year wasn’t very good. Working with the backups against the Commanders in January, McKee completed just 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception. That performance might have hurt his trade value. But the Eagles have seen him up close for three years now so they have a good idea of what McKee can do. They went into a season after a Super Bowl with him as a backup, so the Birds clearly trust McKee. Andy Dalton Age: 38 Experience: Year 16 Size: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds So if they trust McKee, why did the Eagles trade for Dalton? Fair question. Part of it was probably value. The Eagles gave up just a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Panthers to get Dalton in March. While he’s past his prime, Dalton has started 169 games in his career and has the type of experience that teams often like in a backup quarterback. Like we mentioned with McKee, a huge element for backups is the trust factor. The coaches can trust a guy like Dalton. Even though he hasn’t been a full-time starter for several years, Dalton spent the last three as a backup in Carolina. Cole Payton Age: 23 Experience: Rookie Size: 6-foot-2, 232 pounds We don’t expect the rookie fifth-round pick to compete for the backup job in 2026, but Payton is an intriguing prospect because of his dual-threat ability. Last season with North Dakota State, Payton threw for 2,719 yards and ran for another 777 with 13 touchdowns. That has some folks wondering if the Eagles might be able to find a non-QB role for Payton as a rookie. Yes, he’s one of the many players who has gotten the Taysom Hill comp over the last several years. Payton will have to prove himself before that happens and he’ll have to show that he can also help on special teams. But as long as he looks solid in training camp, the Eagles are probably going to keep him on the 53-man roster, which could mean keeping four QBs. Outlook That becomes the next big question. Would the Eagles really keep four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster? Roster spots are precious, so that’s not an ideal way to build. But the Eagles value the position and have said publicly they would keep four. Perhaps a team comes calling with an offer for McKee or Dalton. That seems possible and with a surplus at the position, the Eagles could decide to be opportunistic this summer. Until then, this is looking like a competition. But there’s a chance the battle is decided when Howie Roseman makes a trade
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