Cole Payton was a total breath of fresh air last night for the Philadelphia Eagles, finally giving fans a reason to get hyped about the backup quarterback situation. The Eagles dropped their preseason opener, which isn’t the end of the world, but it did give us a peek at some young guys. After some seriously uninspiring play from the other backup QBs, Payton stepped in and, at the very least, was exciting to watch. His mobility was undeniable, picking up big gains on scrambles and even shrugging off contact for extra yards on designed runs. Then came the money shot: he extended a play with his feet, kept his eyes up, and found a receiver in the back of the endzone for the Eagles’ only touchdown of the night.
Bell and Morris Just Blew Past Expectations
Speaking of excitement, Markel Bell completely blew past expectations in his first showing, earning an A-. We heard good things out of training camp, but Bell delivered even more. Coming into the league, folks wondered how his height would impact his NFL leverage, but he looked super comfortable against some talented pass rushers. He moved well on the edge and was a beast coming downhill as a run blocker. The Eagles should be absolutely thrilled with where Bell is right now, even if he gets to chill in the wings this year. And shoutout to Micah Morris, who was solid at guard all night, pulling in a B-. I was honestly surprised how good he looked as a pass protector on top of being a solid run blocker. The Eagles desperately need good interior offensive line depth, and Morris looks ready to step up if called upon.
Stowers Has Got to Step Up, and Where’s Lemon?
Not every rookie shone so bright, though. Eli Stowers, who started at tight end, had a pretty unremarkable day, getting a C grade. He played a handful of snaps in the first quarter, lining up inline and in the slot, catching three short passes. He didn’t look dynamic catching the ball and was just “fine” as a blocker. Look, it’s his first live NFL action, and he was playing with a bunch of guys who won’t be starters, so it’s not a huge red flag. But his role this year demands he make the most of his targets and provide solid run blocking, so he’s got to grow quickly. On the wide receiver front, Makai Lemon didn’t even play, missing the opener with a hamstring injury. The Eagles’ wideout lineup seriously needs help, so let’s hope he gets healthy ASAP!
The backup quarterback battle is definitely one to monitor for the Eagles, especially with trade rumors swirling around Tanner McKee. Eli Stowers needs to really make the most of his snaps through the next two preseason games to prove he belongs. There’s still a lot to look forward to as these young guys continue to fight for their spots!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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