The Philadelphia Eagles settled one quarterback question by keeping all four players on their initial 53-man roster. They are not ready to publicly answer another. General manager Howie Roseman declined to reveal whether Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee will enter the regular season as Jalen Hurts’ primary backup, saying the Eagles would keep that decision “close to the vest.”
Philadelphia retained Hurts, Dalton, McKee and rookie Cole Payton, using four roster spots on a position Roseman described as the most important in sports.
“All four have value,” Roseman said. “Some have long-term value, some short term.”
Dalton provides the experience of a veteran who has started 168 regular-season games. The 38-year-old has encountered nearly every situation
an NFL quarterback can face and could provide stability if Hurts temporarily leaves the lineup.
McKee offers more developmental upside. The former sixth-round pick has spent three seasons in Philadelphia’s system and produced the stronger performance during the Eagles’ second preseason game against New England.
Payton, a fifth-round rookie, secured his place with a strong summer and intriguing dual-threat ability. His long-term potential made exposing him to waivers an unnecessary risk. Keeping four quarterbacks is unconventional because it reduces flexibility elsewhere on the roster. It also gives Roseman control of a valuable position while injuries and depth-chart changes occur around the league.
The Eagles could eventually receive trade interest, but Roseman does not have to make an immediate move. For now, Philadelphia will continue to evaluate Dalton and McKee while keeping opponents—and the public—uncertain about which quarterback is directly behind Hurts.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles are keeping QB2 decision between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee private
