Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee are still waiting on Eagles’ QB2 decision

As Sunday’s season opener against the Washington Commanders looms, the Philadelphia Eagles still have not disclosed their decision on who will serve as Jalen Hurts’ backup quarterback, according to ESPN’s Tim McManus. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee, the two quarterbacks in contention for the position, revealed on Wednesday that they have not been informed of the team’s choice, as reported by McManus.

Dalton is positioned behind Hurts on the Eagle’s unofficial depth chart, followed by McKee and rookie Cole Payton. However, this unofficial ranking does not guarantee that Dalton will ultimately be named the No. 2 quarterback. Head coach Nick Sirianni has not publicly revealed the decision, hinting that the Eagles might be aware of the selection internally before making it known to the public.

Dalton, 38, has made 169 regular-season starts and earned three Pro Bowl selections throughout his NFL career, while McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick, has shown promise while serving as Hurts’ established backup. The decision to select the backup quarterback may involve more than just performance during the summer, as Philadelphia must also consider Dalton’s extensive starting experience against McKee’s familiarity with the team’s offense and Hurts.

Keeping the choice private also shields Washington from knowing which quarterback they would face if Hurts had to leave the game. For now, both Dalton and McKee are preparing as if either could lead the offense at any moment, with the final decision potentially not becoming public until the Eagles announce their game-day inactive list.