Philadelphia loves to buy into the notion of having a 'quarterback factory,' and that's the biggest reason why the Eagles should give Cole Payton more preseason work, even while Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee continue competing for the backup quarterback job.
That does not mean Philadelphia should interrupt the QB2 evaluation. Dalton and McKee still need meaningful snaps against New England. The Eagles, however, already know more about both veterans than they know about Payton. Payton has more roster security than a typical bubble player because Philadelphia selected him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft. Jalen Hurts is the unquestioned starter. The Eagles acquired Dalton in a trade with Carolina, while McKee returns after serving as Hurts’ primary backup last season.
Payton provided Philadelphia’s only spark in its 24-7 preseason loss to Baltimore. The fifth-round pick completed 4 of 9 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards. His 17-yard scramble extended the Eagles’ lone scoring drive. Payton’s athletic ability offers something different from Dalton and McKee, but evaluating him exclusively against players near the bottom of opposing depth charts provides limited information. Philadelphia should give him one series earlier in the first half with a stronger supporting cast, and then allow him to drive the car the entire second half.
Howie Roseman has acknowledged the possibility of carrying four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster. That would be unusual, but Payton’s four-year rookie contract and developmental upside give the Eagles reasons to consider it. McKee is entering the final season of his contract, while Dalton represents a short-term veteran option. Payton could become Philadelphia’s primary backup candidate in 2027.
The Eagles must determine whether Dalton or McKee is QB2. They also need enough evidence to decide whether Payton can eventually replace both. More preseason snaps would help answer that question.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Should the Eagles give rookie QB Cole Payton more preseason snaps?
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