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Andy Dalton snubbing Eagles is latest blow to Philly’s season of doom
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- Andy Dalton snubbing Eagles is latest blow to Philly’s season of doom
Andy Dalton snubbing Eagles is latest blow to Philly's season of doom originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Eagles ' quarterback situation for the remainder of the 2026 season appears murky.
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With the news that Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the year due to blood clot issues, the star quarterback's health will be of the utmost concern, but Philadelphia faces more questions over the plan at the position moving forward.
In Week 6, the Eagles started Tanner McKee, who entered the 2026 season in a QB2 competition with veteran Andy Dalton. After the team recently cut Dalton, it reportedly tried to bring him right back — but the 16-year quarterback declined, signing with a new team on Monday.
Here's why Dalton spurned the Eagles' attempt to re-sign him and what it means for the Eagles' quarterback room.
MORE JALEN HURTS NEWS:
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Why Andy Dalton snubbed Eagles
Dalton entered the 2026 season as one of the Eagles' backups to Hurts, and he entered the game against the Bears in Week 3 when Hurts was forced to go into the medical tent. The veteran, however, threw a costly interception in an eventual blowout loss, and Hurts was able to return to the game.
After that game, the Eagles appeared to shift their depth chart to make McKee the direct backup to Hurts. With some ongoing roster changes, the team released Dalton on Oct. 9, prior to the news that Hurts would not play in Week 6 due to blood clotting issues.
Now, with Hurts' diagnosis taking a negative turn, the Eagles could use more quarterback depth, even after signing Joe Milton off the Cowboys ' practice squad. According to NBC Sports, after the Eagles released Dalton, they "wanted to bring him back," but Dalton "politely declined."
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Instead, on Monday, Dalton signed with the Falcons to back up Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa.
After being demoted on the depth chart by Philadelphia, then released, Dalton opted to head to Atlanta, rather than continue the 2026 season with more opportunities with the Eagles.
MORE: Doctor explains Jalen Hurts' initial blood clot diagnosis
Eagles QB depth chart
| Rank |
Player |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Tanner McKee |
| 2 |
Cole Payton |
| 3 |
Joe Milton |
As things stand now with Hurts out for the season, McKee is the Eagles' QB1 until they said otherwise. He threw for 215 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in a 25-14 loss on Sunday.
However, it wouldn't be surprising if the Eagles either give another in-house option a shot or bring another veteran into the mix. They selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton in the fifth round of April's draft, a player who would bring elite athleticism and rushing ability to the offense but is limited as a passer. Milton, meanwhile, is known for his cannon of an arm, but has struggled with turnovers and consistency otherwise in the NFL.
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If the Eagles eye quarterbacks elsewhere, they could look at Cooper Rush, who was released by Atlanta to bring in Dalton, or Jimmy Garoppolo, who did not sign with a team this past offseason and remains a free agent. Potential trade candidates include Gardner Minshew, Shedeur Sanders, Mason Rudolph, Anthony Richardson or Spencer Rattler.
For now, McKee is in line to remain QB1 for Philadelphia.
