There is going to be a clear position battle at the Philadelphia Eagles training camp among the backup quarterbacks.
Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee have been splitting reps with the second-team unit at OTAs, and that will most likely continue to happen throughout training camp. One interesting question, though, is what about rookie fifth-round pick Cole Payton? Well, Bleacher Report writer Alex Kay believes Eagles fans should temper their expectations as Payton is seen as a developmental QB4 who could move up if McKee is traded.
"The Eagles were thoroughly tantalized by his size, athleticism and upside, enough to use a fifth-round pick and overcrowd a quarterbacks room that already contains Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. The latter could be on the move soon, however, as McKee has drawn interest around the league as a potential starter.
Because of the talent in that group, general manager Howie Roseman has revealed he may opt to keep four quarterbacks on the active roster in 2026 if McKee sticks around. That's a nod to Payton's potential, but he's not going to be anything more than a QB4 as a rookie with those other players blocking his path up the depth chart."
Cole Payton won't make any kind of impact in 2026
In college at North Dakota State, Payton was only a starter for one season, so the experience level at the quarterback position is already a concern. His athletic ability, though, can't be questioned, as he had a 40-inch vertical and ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, proving he can be a weapon in the league.
The Eagles aren't going to rush him onto the field, as the focus is on ensuring he develops correctly and gets the kind of arm motion and football mind needed to be an NFL quarterback. Even if he doesn't play much, there is still a chance he sees the field in Philly in 2026.
New Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion might have a plan for Payton that would be very similar to what the New Orleans Saints do with Taysom Hill. Payton actually started a game with the Bisons as their running back, so the possibilities are endless for him to play quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, and potentially on special teams.
A big decision still has to be made for the Eagles regarding McKee and Dalton, as it comes down to either keeping both or potentially trading either one. McKee might have more trade value since he is younger, but if injuries pile up around the league, that might work out for Dalton.
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Payton will be fine regardless, as he will be in the quarterback room in some capacity as the third or fourth string for the next year or two. There's no telling when his moment will arrive, but if he can develop in the right way, the Eagles might have a true offensive weapon in him for a long time.
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