The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/rbh65hxv
Originally published Nov. 4, 2026
PHILADELPHIA — Two days after Nick Sirianni said he wasn’t changing quarterbacks, the Eagles changed quarterbacks.
Joe Milton III is in. Tanner McKee is out.
The Eagles (2-6), who have lost six straight, will turn to Milton for Sunday’s home game against the NFC East-leading New York Giants.
It’s a dramatic reversal for Sirianni, who insisted Monday that McKee would remain the starter despite his three straight losses after replacing Jalen Hurts.
“Tanner’s our guy,” Sirianni said Monday. “We’re not making any changes there.”
Apparently, two days can make quite a difference.
McKee completed 72 of 114 passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his three starts. The Eagles scored just 45 points across those games, including Sunday night’s embarrassing 27-10 loss to Washington.
It appears to signal the end of an era for McKee, 26, who completed 23 of 34 passes for 212 yards against the Commanders but threw an interception and lost a fumble. Philadelphia was shut out over the final three quarters.
Prior to this year, McKee had been viewed as a promising young backup who could win NFL games.
Milton, 26, joined the Eagles on Oct. 16 after Philadelphia signed him off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. He was a sixth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2024 after playing collegiately at Michigan and Tennessee.
With Tennessee, Milton took over for the injured Hendon Hooker late in 2022 and earned Orange Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Clemson.
He started all 12 regular-season games for the Vols in 2023, passing for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for 299 yards and seven scores.
At 6-foot-5, Milton possesses exceptional arm strength and mobility, giving first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion another dimension to work with.
Milton has appeared in five NFL games, completing 37 of 53 passes for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. He also has rushed for a touchdown.
His most extensive action came in New England’s 2024 season finale against Buffalo, when he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another TD in a 23-16 win.
Earlier Wednesday, before reports of the quarterback change surfaced, Sirianni praised Milton’s development.
“I think he’s worked really hard,” Sirianni said. “Him and (quarterbacks coach) Parks (Frazier) have spent a ton of time together, getting him caught up to speed.
“He is always in the building, doing the extra things. I like his progression.”
Milton would later be seen taking first-team reps at the start of practice.
The Eagles have been searching for answers since losing Hurts to blood clots that have sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.