Eagles to start Joe Milton at quarterback vs. Giants, replacing Tanner McKee

The Philadelphia Eagles are entrusting a former Dallas Cowboy to be their new starting quarterback. Joe Milton will be the team's starting quarterback in Week 9 against the NFC East-leading New York Giants, per ESPN.

Milton will be the third Eagles starting quarterback this season after Jalen Hurts went on injured reserve and backup Tanner McKee lost all three of his starts. The Eagles scooped him up off of the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on Oct. 16, a day before Hurts went on IR.

"I think he's worked really hard," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday morning, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. "Him and [quarterbacks coach] Parks [Frazier] have spent a ton of time together, getting him caught up to speed. I know the developmental periods; those always help to be able to run our plays. But he works extremely hard. He is always in the building, doing the extra things. I like his progression."

Milton could bring the deep ball back to the Eagles' offense. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has compared Milton's arm strength to that of Brett Favre. However, Schottenheimer also expressed reservations about Milton's game, particularly his accuracy and touch. That's why Sam Howell won the Dallas backup job, leaving Milton as Dallas' No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad and up for grabs for Philadelphia to scoop him up. The Cowboys originally acquired Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick, in April of 2025 in a trade with the New England Patriots, and he served as Dak Prescott's backup in 2025.

This preseason, Milton showed significant strides in both areas when the lights came on in Dallas' three exhibition games: he completed 29 of his 43 passes (67.4%) for 378 yards, three passing touchdowns and no interceptions for a 118.2 passer rating.