The Philadelphia Eagles have a quarterback logjam that has fans debating the roster math. Right now the room has Jalen Hurts, veteran Andy Dalton, second-year man Tanner McKee, and rookie Cole Payton. That is four guys slinging it under one roof, and something has to give.
Zach Berman of The Athletic waded into the question in a recent mailbag, and his take was pretty direct. He does not think all four make the 53-man roster. Not even close. Berman laid out a few scenarios — a trade, an injury in camp, or Payton just not showing enough — that could trim the group down to three.
“Whether it’s keeping three quarterbacks because of a trade or Cole Payton’s performance (or injury) in training camp/preseason, or a Bernard injury that allows the Eagles to stash him on injured reserve, it will sort itself out,” Berman wrote.
He was talking about Uar Bernard there too, a Nigerian defensive lineman the team added through the International Player Pathway Program. So yeah, the roster crunch involves more than just quarterbacks.
The Dalton factor and the development debate
Berman called the situation “complicated” and said he would be shocked if the Eagles actually kept four passers on the active roster. That is pretty strong language from someone who covers the team closely.
Here is the thing about those last few roster spots. Berman noted they are usually luxury slots for developmental projects. Practice squad elevations give the Eagles some flexibility, but Payton has to prove he is worth protecting from another team swiping him off waivers. If he looks like he can clear through to the practice squad, there is no reason to burn a roster spot.
Dalton is the clear backup for now. His experience wins that battle by default. McKee and Payton will be fighting for the third spot, or maybe even just a practice squad job.
One other thing worth mentioning. The Eagles have Hurts locked in as the starter, obviously. So the whole conversation is really about the pecking order behind him and whether the front office wants to invest in a fourth arm or use that spot for a position that actually sees the field on game day.
Training camp and preseason will sort this out. Payton needs to turn heads. Dalton needs to stay healthy. And the Eagles need to decide if they want to carry three or four guys into September. Right now the smart money is on three.
Leave a Comment