Despite a pairing of two teams whose seasons have gone in the unexpectedly wrong direction, this year's annual Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas may be getting a little extra spice.
The Philadelphia Eagles announced Wednesday that Joe Milton will get his first start at quarterback when the team squares off against the NFC East-leading New York Giants in Week 9. The former Cowboys backup will take over for Tanner McKee, who has struggled over the past weeks, losing his three starts and adding to the Eagles' current six-game losing streak.
Philadelphia signed Milton off the Dallas practice squad in mid-October, just after the Eagles' Week 1 starter, Jalen Hurts, was diagnosed with blood clots. McKee stepped in and threw for 638 yards over the team's
next three losses- posting two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 76.6.
Breaking: The Eagles are naming Joe Milton their starting QB and benching Tanner McKee for Sunday's game against the Giants, per @AdamSchefter and @MikeGarafolo. pic.twitter.com/CKopsgD9Ei
— ESPN (@espn) November 4, 2026
Now Milton assumes the QB1 job. If he plays well- or even marginally better than McKee- he stands to be the Eagles' starter in Week 12 when the Cowboys host Philly at AT&T Stadium for the traditional late-afternoon matchup on Thanksgiving Day.
Milton saw time in four games as a Cowboy during the 2025 season, going 15-of-24 passing for 183 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He and new acquisition Sam Howell battled for the QB2 job in Dallas over the summer. Milton was a star in his first two appearances, leading many to believe he had sewn up the job. But the preseason finale saw him struggle with more complex defenses and Howell won the role at final cuts. Milton was waived and then re-signed to the practice squad.
Thanksgiving games in Dallas have a long history of backup quarterbacks rising to the occasion in front of a massive television audience. While it's still a few weeks away, Milton could be looking to add his own name to a fabled list that includes Clint Longley and Jason Garrett with a lights-out holiday performance of his own.
Even if he'll be wearing the other team's uniform.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Eagles to start Joe Milton, former Cowboys PS hero at QB, revenge on tap?
