The Philadelphia Eagles are shaking up their quarterback depth chart just three weeks into the season, moving Andy Dalton down to third string after his brutal goal-line interception in Week 3. Seriously, after only three games, the backup job is gone, and the dude is now QB3.
QB Room Chaos: McKee Moves Up, Dalton Benched
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo dropped the bombshell: Tanner McKee is officially the new No. 2 quarterback behind Jalen Hurts for their Week 4 clash against the Rams. That means Andy Dalton, who started the season as the backup, is now relegated to third-string duties. Hurts is obviously still the man under center, but the shake-up behind him is wild. It’s not a shocker to anyone who saw Dalton’s “horrible interception” against the Bears last week, especially considering it was a goal-line gaffe. McKee, who was reportedly a “beloved backup” but “struggled a bit during the preseason,” now gets the nod. Meanwhile, Dalton isn’t likely to even sniff the field moving forward.
What This Means for Roseman’s Roster and Dalton’s Future
This quick demotion for Dalton throws some serious shade on Howie Roseman’s roster construction, doesn’t it? Losing the QB2 job this fast signals they probably shouldn’t have even bothered keeping him in the first place. With trade rumors already swirling around the Eagles’ quarterback room, Dalton looks like the most likely guy to be on the move if they pull the trigger on a deal this season. For now, he’s just sitting pretty as QB3, with rookie left-handed Cole Payton holding down the fourth-string spot, way out of reach of the field anytime soon. The team’s got some real questions brewing about their depth and decision-making here, especially after such a short leash for Dalton.
Injuries Piling Up Ahead of Rams Matchup
Beyond the QB drama, the Eagles are heading into their Week 4 game against the 1-2 Los Angeles Rams with some major injury woes. On offense, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert are both sidelined, which means guys like Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper, and maybe even Zach Ertz are gonna need to step up big time in the passing attack. It’s a tough draw against the Rams already, and now they’re down key playmakers while breaking in a new backup QB. They’re sitting at 2-1, but this next game is gonna be a real test of their depth and how quickly McKee could potentially get ready if he’s needed.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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