Eagles reportedly to release veteran QB Andy Dalton, clearing roster spot behind Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia is expected to release veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, a roster change first reported by ’s Mike Garafolo and relayed by Pro Football Rumors. The timing matters because the Eagles have structured their offseason and in-season roster around Jalen Hurts as the starter, with the backup plan designed to provide stability if Hurts misses time.

Dalton’s departure, if it becomes official, would represent a fairly quick turn in Philadelphia’s short-term quarterback depth. The Eagles had traded for Dalton earlier in the season, indicating they wanted more experienced game-management support behind Hurts than a purely developmental option alone.

With Dalton set to be cut, the Eagles would be left with Tanner McKee and Cole Payton as Hurts’ remaining backup quarterbacks. Both names are explicitly identified in the reporting as the next two behind Hurts, underscoring that the team’s plan for the quarterback position is now narrowed to those two depth roles.

This kind of move is typically driven by roster math and practice-squad reality, as NFL teams only carry a limited number of quarterback spots during the regular season. When a team chooses to release a veteran after adding him relatively recently, it usually suggests that the coaching staff prefers the direction of its current depth chart, whether because of development priorities or the ability to cover the backup reps during the week.

For Hurts, the change does not alter his role as the starter, but it can change how smoothly the offense transitions if he is forced out. Backup quarterbacks are expected to grasp the playbook quickly, operate with the first-team or second-team units depending on the situation, and reduce chaos during practice and game preparation.

The remaining questions are practical: whether McKee or Payton becomes the clearer No. 2 based on how they handle the weekly preparation, and how Philadelphia adjusts its overall roster elsewhere to account for the release. Those details will determine how comfortable the Eagles feel about their depth going into the most consequential stretch of the season.