The Philadelphia Eagles shocked much of the NFL on Wednesday reports emerged that they were benching backup quarterback Tanner McKee in favor of 2024 sixth-round pick Joe Milton III. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni discussed the decision with reporters on Friday, two days ahead of the team's Week 9 matchup against the New York Giants. Sirianni said that he felt McKee played "solid" during his three-game stint in place of starter Jalen Hurts, but thinks that Milton gives Philadelphia the best chance to win.
The sixth-year head coach also hinted that he had said McKee was still the starter earlier in the week to throw the Giants off. The Eagles started the campaign 2-0 but have since lost six consecutive contests. Hurts is likely out for the rest of the season following his recent deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli diagnosis (blood clots in his lungs).
McKee posted a 63.2 completion percentage with 638 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his three games this fall. Philadelphia signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on Oct. 16 and Sunday will not only be his first NFL start, but first action of the 2026 regular season. Milton will be opposed by another backup signal-caller on Sunday afternoon, as J.J.
McCarthy is expected to start for New York. The Giants lost starter Jaxson Dart to a torn ACL, PCL and meniscus in Week 2 and after initially going with Jameis Winston under center, New York traded for McCarthy on Sept. 28. The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback relieved Winston during the Giants' Week 6 loss versus the New Orleans Saints and started Week 7's win against the Houston Texans before New York's Week 8 bye.
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