The Philadelphia Eagles will have a new starting quarterback under center when they take on the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are reportedly benching Tanner McKee and starting Joe Milton for the Week 9 divisional matchup, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

This is a surprising development, as Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Monday that “Tanner is our guy” when asked if he planned to make a QB change (h/t Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

However, that sentiment must’ve changed over the last 48 hours. On Wednesday, McLane reported via a source that “the team believes the more mobile Milton will help improve the offense.”

The 26-year-old McKee has started in the Eagles’ last three games for an injured Jalen Hurts, and hasn’t looked spectacular under center. It isn’t all McKee’s fault. Philly has suffered numerous backfield injuries, and the offensive line has struggled in pass pro.

Unlike Hurts, who is a dual-threat quarterback, mobility isn’t McKee’s strong suit. He’s the prototypical pocket-passing QB. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound quarterback has completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions since taking over as the starter. He has three total turnovers and has been sacked 10 times.

Now, Milton, who has spent the last two weeks as QB2, will get a chance to showcase his talents against a Giants’ defense that has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (184.9). The 26-year-old Milton joined the Eagles on October 16, after Philly poached him off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.

This summer with the Cowboys, Milton completed 67.4% of his passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns in three preseason games. He also scored a rushing touchdown.

The former New England Patriots’ fifth-round pick hasn’t started a game in his NFL career, but has appeared in five contests. His most impressive appearance came as a rookie in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills in 2024. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also added 16 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

For Milton, this is a prime opportunity to show Dallas it made a mistake going with Sam Howell as the QB2 this summer and potentially earn the QB2 job in Philadelphia for the 2027 season. McKee will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, while Milton will be a RFA.

The 6-foot-5, 236-pound quarterback has the mobility to extend plays out of the pocket and a cannon for an arm, making him a tantalizing prospect. That said, Milton’s consistency and accuracy have eluded him thus far in his brief NFL regular-season action.

However, he has a chance to change the narrative in his first career start and hopefully help the Eagles snap their six-game losing skid.