Eagles Name Joe Milton Starter Against Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles will start Joe Milton against the New York Giants on Sunday. This move ends the tenure of Tanner McKee as the team's starting quarterback. The decision comes after a 2-6 start that has left the roster searching for stability.

Milton is 6-foot-5 and weighs 240 pounds. He is 25 years old. The Eagles signed him from a practice squad six weeks into the 2026 campaign. His physical build contrasts with the skill set of McKee, who has started three games this year.

The team faces a shortage of reliable quarterbacks. This scarcity made Milton an available option for a roster that needs depth. The Eagles believe his presence offers a different dynamic than what McKee has provided. They view this as a necessary step for the remaining nine games of the season.

Milton was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played for Tennessee before entering the league. The Dallas Cowboys acquired his rights in April 2025 in exchange for a fifth-round pick. He saw limited action with Dallas last year before landing on a practice squad in 2026.

His most notable performance came in the Patriots' 2024 finale against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards. He threw one touchdown and no interceptions in a 23-16 victory. That performance showed he could handle the position in a high-pressure situation.

McKee finished with 212.7 passing yards per game and a 63.2 percent completion rate. His quarterback rating stood at 76.6. These numbers are comparable to those of Jalen Hurts during Hurts' five starts this season. However, the Eagles' offensive output under McKee has been limited by the absence of key players like DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson.

The Eagles scored 14 points and gained 222 total yards against the Carolina Panthers. They managed 21 points and 321 yards against the Dallas Cowboys. In the most recent game, they scored 10 points against the Washington Commanders. That total was 14 points fewer than the lowest score Washington had allowed in its first six games.

Cole Payton, a fifth-round rookie, remains on the active roster. He was selected with the 178th overall pick out of North Dakota State. Payton is a left-handed dual-threat quarterback. He has spent the season behind Hurts, McKee, and veteran Andy Dalton on the depth chart. The Eagles expect to evaluate him after the Milton experiment concludes.

The organization views the current season as a means to prepare for 2027. They aim to gain value from the final two months of play. Milton offers a fresh look for the coaching staff. His performance may influence the team's decisions regarding their quarterback depth chart for next year.