The Philadelphia Eagles are shifting to Joe Milton as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. This decision, reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, marks the third time this season the team has changed its starter as it struggles to find momentum during a difficult 2-6 campaign.
A Rapid Pivot After Public Assurances
The move to start Milton comes as a surprise, given that head coach Nick Sirianni stated on Monday that the team intended to stick with Tanner McKee under center. McKee had handled the starting duties for the previous three games, during which he completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Despite those efforts, the Eagles currently sit in last place in the NFC East and are riding a six-game losing streak.
The Search for Stability in a Lost Season
For a franchise that entered the year with high expectations, the current volatility at the quarterback position reflects the broader instability surrounding the team. The Eagles signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad on October 16, just one day before placing franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve.
The gravity of the situation was compounded shortly thereafter, when the team and Hurts’ agent announced that the quarterback would be sidelined indefinitely. Medical evaluations revealed that Hurts was suffering from blood clots in both of his lungs, an ailment that sources told ESPN and NFL Network is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
From the Cowboys’ Bench to the Eagles’ Starting Job
Joe Milton arrives in Philadelphia with a unique perspective on the NFC East, having spent last season as a backup to Dak Prescott in Dallas. His path to the field has been unconventional; originally a sixth-round selection by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft, he was traded to the Cowboys in April 2025.
Milton’s tenure in Dallas saw him appear in four games off the bench, though he later found himself on the practice squad after falling behind Sam Howell during the team’s training camp competition earlier this year. Now, he finds himself thrust into a high-pressure role in Philadelphia, tasked with leading an offense that has been searching for consistency since the loss of its franchise leader.
The Stakes for the NFC East
The pressure on this coaching staff is palpable as they head into Sunday’s matchup against the Giants. With the team sitting at 2-6 and failing to secure a win in over a month and a half, the choice to start Milton is a clear signal that the organization is willing to experiment with its personnel to spark a change. Whether this transition provides the necessary jolt to the offense is unclear, but the front office clearly believes that a different approach is necessary to finish the challenging season.
More on Joe Milton
A QB change in Philadelphia: the Eagles are naming Joe Milton their starting QB and benching Tanner McKee for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants, per @mikegarafolo and me. pic.twitter.com/kVkMqLmUb4
