Nick Sirianni taps the 16th-year veteran to bolster the depth chart, prioritizing experience and proven leadership to provide a veteran security blanket behind their franchise centerpiece.
Andy Dalton has officially won the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback job, giving Jalen Hurts a seasoned veteran behind him heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed the decision Tuesday, explaining that Dalton ultimately did enough throughout training camp to separate himself from Tanner McKee.
"We felt like he [Dalton] was the best person for the job," Sirianni said to the media. "That has no indication of how we feel of Tanner... But roles and spots on the depth chart are never set in stone. They’re still competing, they’re still working, and we’ll be evaluating, like with everything, all the time. But at the end of the day, that’s why."
The decision came after a lengthy competition between Dalton and McKee, with Philadelphia keeping its plans under wraps until the Eagles’ season opener against the Washington Commanders. Dalton was ultimately active as Hurts’ backup, while McKee was designated as the emergency third quarterback.
For Dalton, the opportunity represents another chapter in a long NFL career. The 38-year-old is entering his 16th NFL season after spending the majority of his career as a starter, including nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers.
While Dalton may not have dominated during the preseason, his experience appears to have been an important factor in Philadelphia’s decision. He understands what it takes to prepare for an NFL game, operate within a new offensive system and provide guidance inside a quarterback room.
That type of experience can be particularly valuable when the quarterback ahead of him is a player of Hurts’ caliber.
The Eagles obviously hope Dalton never has to take meaningful snaps this season. Hurts remains the unquestioned starter, and Philadelphia’s success will largely depend on its franchise quarterback staying healthy and leading the offense.
But having a veteran who has spent years navigating the NFL gives the Eagles an additional layer of security should Hurts ever be forced to miss time.
Dalton’s role also extends beyond simply being available on game day. His experience can help McKee and rookie Cole Payton develop while giving the quarterback room another player who understands the preparation and leadership required at the position.
For now, though, Dalton is the man directly behind Hurts. And for an Eagles team with championship aspirations, having a proven veteran in that spot provides another piece of stability behind its star quarterback.
