Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni explained to reporters Friday why quarterback Joe Milton III will start in place of Tanner McKee on Sunday against the visiting New York Giants.
“Obviously, that’s always a difficult thing to think through, because it isn’t ever just on one person. And matter of fact, I think Tanner played solid. But this is just what I felt like we needed to do right at this particular moment to give ourselves the best chance to win this weekend,” Sirianni stated.
Quarterback Situation and Roster Struggles
McKee has started the last three games in place of three-time Pro Bowler Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his lungs. The fourth-year quarterback and former Stanford star, selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft, has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 638 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt.
Philadelphia’s offense has struggled to generate momentum, averaging just 15.0 points per game during a three-game losing streak that dropped the team’s record to 2-6. McKee has faced a challenging environment behind a heavily depleted offensive unit. Running back Saquon Barkley, wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert have all missed multiple games due to injuries, while veteran offensive tackle Lane Johnson retired after three appearances and guard Landon Dickerson has played only three contests.
Joe Milton’s Path to the Starting Role
Now Milton will receive an opportunity as the Eagles look to snap a four-game losing skid. A former standout at Tennessee and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Milton has essentially played just one full regular-season game in his career, which came during the finale of the 2024 campaign.
In that game, he replaced New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye following a right-hand injury after the opening drive, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score in a 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills, who rested their starters ahead of the playoffs. Milton subsequently saw limited action across four games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 following an April trade, completing 15 of 24 passes for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
The Eagles claimed Milton from the Cowboys’ practice squad in October, giving him an opportunity to establish himself as the primary signal-caller and demonstrate his abilities.
Kickoff for Sunday’s matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
