Why Eagles drafting Cole Payton points to QB trade, Jalen Hurts backup change
This is a fun move.
Why Eagles drafting Cole Payton points to QB trade, Jalen Hurts backup change originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Philadelphia Eagles drafted a quarterback: Cole Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He's a lefty from North Dakota State, and he's a freakish athlete for a quarterback. Some have compared him to Taysom Hill, but he has more QB upside than that in the NFL. Of course, Payton will want to be more than a gadget guy, although that might be what he is as a rookie.
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available What Cole Payton pick means for Eagles' QB depth chart This points to a trade. Philly backup Tanner McKee was viewed as a trade candidate already. Now?
It feels like a high probability outcome. The Eagles obviously have Jalen Hurts. They also went out to get Andy Dalton this offseason in a trade, so he can be a veteran backup.