Eagles To Start QB Joe Milton In Week 9

Milton will be the Eagles’ third different starting quarterback this year. Jalen Hurts’ blood clots put him on season-ending injured reserve last month, which moved McKee into the QB1 role. But 2023 sixth-round pick has completed just 63.2% of his passes with 5.6 yards per attempt and a 76.6 passer rating. Philadelphia has averaged just 15 points per game in his starts, which all ended in losses.

The Eagles signed Milton off the Cowboys’ practice squad shortly after news of Hurts’ absence went public. Originally a Patriots sixth-round pick in 2024, he put forth an impressive Week 18 performance as a rookie and was traded to the Cowboys the following offseason. Milton appeared in four games in Dallas last year, but largely struggled with just a 65.1 passer rating.

The 26-year-old will now take command of an Eagles offense that was struggling even before Hurts went down. The unit has not produced more than 25 points or 350 yards in a single game this year, though personnel availability has been a major issue. A.J. Brown and Cam Jurgens were both traded this year, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith have dealt with lingering injuries, and Lane Johnson’s sudden retirement sank an already-teetering offensive line.

Milton will have to contend with those challenges against a tough Giants defense on Sunday before facing the Steelers’ elite unit after the Eagles’ Week 10 bye. Philadelphia is currently sitting at 2-6, in last place in the NFC East, with extremely low chances of making the playoffs. Starting Milton seems like Howie Roseman taking the opportunity to evaluate a young, physically-talented quarerback with an uncertain future at the position. At a minimum, the third-year passer could garner crucial experience to help him push for a backup role in 2027.