​The Philadelphia Eagles enter training camp with no doubt at the top of the quarterback depth chart: Jalen Hurts remains the franchise quarterback and the focal point of an offense being rebuilt under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. The real intrigue lies behind him, where Philadelphia must sort through Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee, and rookie Cole Payton and decide how many quarterbacks they can realistically carry on the initial 53-man roster. The official roster lists Hurts, Dalton, McKee, and Payton in the quarterback room, and in April the team announced that Payton had joined a group that already included Hurts, McKee, and Dalton after selecting him in the fifth round at No. 178 overall.
The veteran: Andy Dalton
Dalton brings experience, stability, and a quarterback who has faced every defensive scheme the league can throw at him. He isn’t in Philadelphia to challenge Hurts, but his presence provides a proven emergency option and adds another veteran voice to the quarterback room. Dalton’s path hinges on trust: if the Eagles want a backup who can manage a game, protect the football, and keep the offense organized if Hurts misses time, Dalton has a strong case to stay. The question is whether Philadelphia views him as QB2, QB3, or simply a veteran luxury on a roster that could be tight at several positions.
The incumbent: Tanner McKee
McKee may be the most important player in this competition because he has already shown enough within Philadelphia’s system to remain a serious contender. The Eagles’ team bio notes that McKee appeared in two games with one start in 2024, completing 30 of 45 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and a 117.2 passer rating during the franchise’s Super Bowl LIX-winning season. McKee’s case rests on size, timing, and familiarity. He does not offer Hurts’ mobility or Dalton’s experience, but he carries developmental value and enough prior production to make the Eagles think twice before exposing him to a roster move. If he outplays Dalton in camp, the backup conversation becomes more complex.
The developmental option: Cole Payton
Payton is the wild card. Drafted in the fifth round after a productive tenure at North Dakota State in which he threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and added 777 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores, Payton’s athletic profile gives the Eagles a distinct developmental path. The team’s announcement also noted his Honorable Mention All-American status and his status as a Walter Payton Award finalist. Payton isn’t likely to surpass Dalton or McKee immediately, but a strong preseason could force the roster to rethink its construction. His best route may be the practice squad, though a bright summer could make that option risky.
Roster outlook
The Eagles could keep three quarterbacks, but a fourth would be difficult to retain. Philadelphia already faces crowded battles across several other positions, which will factor heavily into any decision about the quarterback trio or quartet.