Eagles Bench Tanner McKee, Turn to Joe Milton for Week 9
Philadelphia's third starter this season will replace McKee Sunday as the 2-6 Eagles sit last in the NFC East.
By Sanjay Caldwell ·
Joe Milton will start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday against the New York Giants, marking the third different player to take the field at that position for the team this season. According to sources cited by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the move replaces Tanner McKee, who has started the previous three contests.
The decision represents a public reversal for the franchise. Coach Nick Sirianni stated on Monday that the team was sticking with McKee at the starting spot. That announcement came less than two weeks after the Eagles signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on Oct. 16. The signing occurred one day after the Eagles placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve.
Hurts, whose agent announced his indefinite absence two days after the injury designation, is expected to miss the remainder of the year. Doctors found multiple blood clots in both of his lungs. The team's current record stands at 2-6, and they enter Week 9 in last place in the NFC East after losing six straight games.
McKee has completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during his time as the starter. Milton spent the 2025 season as the backup to Dak Prescott in Dallas, appearing in four games off the bench. He originally joined the Cowboys in an April 2025 trade with the New England Patriots, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2024.
The Cowboys waived Milton earlier this year after he lost the competition for the backup role to Sam Howell, though Dallas later brought him back to the practice squad. The Eagles will look to halt their losing streak under new leadership on the field this weekend.
