The Philadelphia Eagles have named Joe Milton III as their starting quarterback for Week 9 against the New York Giants, replacing Tanner McKee just days after head coach Nick Sirianni publicly reaffirmed McKee as the starter.
Milton, who joined the Eagles from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on October 16, will make his first NFL start in Sunday’s divisional matchup. The decision follows a six-game losing streak that has dropped Philadelphia to 2-6 in the NFC East, including three consecutive losses under McKee since starter Jalen Hurts was ruled out for the season with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.
Milton’s first start comes amid broader quarterback turnover in the league. The Giants, who lead the NFC East at 4-2-1, have also made multiple quarterback changes this season, including the addition of JJ McCarthy after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury.
The Quarterback Change and Its Context
Philadelphia’s offensive struggles have extended beyond the quarterback position. The team ranks 30th in scoring (17.1 points per game) under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, and their offensive line has faced challenges, including the retirement of right tackle Lane Johnson. In the most recent loss to the Washington Commanders, the Eagles were held scoreless after halftime, managing just 10 points total in a 27-10 defeat.
McKee completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during his three starts. His final outing included a performance of 23 completions on 34 attempts for 212 yards, one interception, and a lost fumble in a 27-10 loss to Washington. The Eagles’ lone touchdown in that game came from running back Saquon Barkley.
Milton, drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has appeared in five career games without a start. His best performance came in Week 18 of his rookie season, when he led New England to a win over the Buffalo Bills, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025 and spent the season as Dak Prescott’s backup before joining Philadelphia’s practice squad.
Reactions and Expectations
Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata praised Milton’s arm strength, calling it a "[expletive] cannon" and describing him as a "team guy" who brings energy to the locker room. Tight end Dallas Goedert, while expressing sympathy for McKee, acknowledged the team’s need for a spark, stating, "I think they're trying to do anything to find a spark."
Sirianni, who had publicly supported McKee as recently as Monday, defended the decision-making process, emphasizing the team’s commitment to finding solutions. "Whether the issue is scheme, execution or a mental error, responsibility falls on the coaches," he said earlier in the week. The coach also reiterated his support from owner Jeffrey Lurie, stating, "I've always felt nothing but complete support from Mr. Lurie in everything."
The Giants’ Perspective
The Giants, meanwhile, have their own quarterback challenges. Jaxson Dart suffered a torn ACL, PCL, and meniscus in Week 2 and is out for the season. The team initially turned to Jameis Winston for three games before trading for JJ McCarthy, who has started since Week 7. McCarthy, a former Michigan Wolverine, made his first start of the season on October 25, leading the Giants to a 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans.
McCarthy, who played alongside Milton at Michigan, expressed pride in Milton’s opportunity while framing the upcoming game as a competitive challenge. "J Millie, I love that guy. Definitely super proud of him for this opportunity," McCarthy told reporters. "At the end of the day, you know, it's about us. I'm really excited to see our defense go out there in that environment."
League-Wide Quarterback Instability
The Eagles and Giants are not alone in navigating quarterback uncertainty. The Baltimore Ravens will start their third quarterback of the season on Thursday, while the Arizona Cardinals promoted Gardner Minshew to their starting role after an injury to their original starter.
For the Eagles, the Milton experiment begins Sunday against a Giants team that has overcome its own early-season struggles, including a Week 6 upset loss to the New Orleans Saints. New York’s recent form includes an overtime road win over Houston and a bye week to regroup before the divisional showdown.