Eagles’ ‘Biggest Move’ of 53-Man Roster Cutdowns Is Their Backup QB Decisions

The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of new faces on the roster this year, and their roster construction looks a lot different than it has in years prior.

But one of the biggest changes this year compared to their 53-man roster in previous seasons is the quarterback situation. Jalen Hurts is still the starter, but the backup situation is very different this season than it was last season.

Tim McManus of ESPN highlighted this backup quarterback decision, to keep four QBs on the 53-man roster, as the "biggest" move the Eagles made amid their cutdown to 53 players.

"Biggest move: The Eagles kept four quarterbacks -- Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton and Cole Payton -- on the roster, at least for now," McManus writes.

Hurts making the team was obviously going to happen, but the other three quarterbacks could've made the roster in about any pattern.

Dalton is the most experienced, but his preseason production wasn't exactly encouraging. Tanner McKee looked to have a real chance to earn this job as he got the start in the final preseason game. But he didn't look good in that final game of the preseason.

Payton is a more developmental QB option and is a rookie who does have some upside worth getting a little bit excited about. He could even be the Eagles version of Taysom Hill, though he's more likely a developmental third QB to keep on the roster.

It might've made more sense to move on from either Dalton or McKee, but the issue for the Eagles now is that both are now on the 53-man roster.

As McManus alluded to, that might not be the case as the NFL season approaches. It would not be a surprise to see the Eagles trade Dalton or McKee to a QB-needy team in the weeks leading up to the start of the season.

This quarterback room is likely to change by the start of the season, but for now, it's a very fascinating group for the Eagles.

Hurts is the starter, but everything else behind him with these three QBs is very much up in the air. Howie Roseman still has some serious work to do with this QB room.