The Eagles Are Keeping Their Backup Quarterback Plans A Secret

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't list a second-string quarterback to Jalen Hurts on their unofficial depth chart.

by Andrew Gould

Sep 8, 2026

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni after beating the New York Giants.

Adam Hunger/Getty Images

With the 2026 regular season approaching, the Philadelphia Eagles have yet to declare their backup quarterback.

The Eagles released an unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, five days before their Week 1 matchup against the Washington Commanders. They didn’t specify a second-string quarterback, instead listing Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee in the same column behind Jalen Hurts.

Philadelphia currently has four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster, as Cole Payton also made the team. The fifth-round rookie is listed with the third team.

All four quarterbacks are unlikely to suit up for Sunday’s game, so the inactive list could reveal Philadelphia’s decision unless the Eagles make a move or announcement sooner.

Who will win Eagles’ QB2 job?

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton (14), quarterback Cole Payton (10), and quarterback Tanner McKee (16) run onto the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images

Edward Finan-Imagn Images

The Eagles bolstered their quarterback room when acquiring Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in March. The three-time Pro Bowler, who turns 39 in October, could play for his sixth different team in the last eight years.

With 39,793 career passing yards, Dalton offers a clear experience advantage. The Red Rifle has started at least one game in each of his 15 NFL seasons.

However, Dalton completed just 18 of 35 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. McKee, on the other hand, went 16-of-22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Philadelphia’s second exhibition contest.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wasn’t ready to choose a second-string quarterback after that performance.

“I think both the guys are battling, and I’m really confident in both of the guys. We’ll see where that goes,” Sirianni said two weeks ago, per team reporter Chris McPherson. “It’s still a competition.”

McKee made an impressive debut when throwing two touchdowns late in a Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 season. The sixth-round pick then led the Eagles to a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants in his first NFL start, tallying 269 yards and two touchdowns.

Drawing another Week 18 start last season, McKee went 21-of-40 for 241 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a loss to the Commanders.