Joe Milton first start for the Eagles: key facts
| Game | New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, Week 9 |
|---|---|
| Date & kickoff | Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT), Lincoln Financial Field |
| TV / stream | FOX (regional); NFL+ |
| New starter | Joe Milton, 26 — first career NFL start |
| Replaces | Tanner McKee (0-3 as the starter; 63.2% completions, 638 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) |
| Eagles record | 2-6, six straight losses, last in the NFC East (per ESPN) |
| Jalen Hurts | On injured reserve with blood clots in both lungs; expected to miss the rest of the season, per ESPN |
| Milton career (5 games) | 37 of 53, 424 passing yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 15 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD (per NBC Sports/PFT) |
| After this game | Week 10 bye |
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports/PFT, Giants.com (all Nov. 2026).
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A one-page Joe Milton / Eagles QB fact sheet (PDF) and a dated timeline (CSV) with sources.
Download PDF Download CSVWhy the Eagles benched Tanner McKee
McKee took over after Jalen Hurts went on injured reserve in October and started the past three games. Philadelphia lost all three, extending its losing streak to six games — the most recent a 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, per USA Today’s Eagles Wire. In those starts McKee completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions (ESPN).
The move is a reversal: on Monday, head coach Nick Sirianni said, “Tanner’s our guy. We’re not making any changes there,” according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Two days later the team turned to Milton. With a Week 10 bye coming, the Eagles are hoping the change sparks the offense against an NFC East rival.
Eagles quarterback change explained: who is Joe Milton?
Milton, 26, was a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft. New England traded him to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025, and he spent last season as Dak Prescott’s backup, appearing in four games. After losing this year’s training-camp competition for the Dallas backup job to Sam Howell, he was waived and then re-signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad.
The Eagles signed Milton to their 53-man roster on Oct. 16, one day before placing Hurts on injured reserve. NBC Sports Philadelphia reports he moved past rookie Cole Payton into the backup role within about a week. He has not yet appeared in a game for Philadelphia. NBC Sports describes him as a tall, mobile quarterback with a strong arm whose play can be erratic.
Eagles QB timeline, 2024–2026
- 2024 NFL Draft: Patriots select Joe Milton in the sixth round
- April 2025: Patriots trade Milton to the Cowboys
- 2025 season: Milton backs up Dak Prescott and appears in four games
- 2026 training camp: Milton loses the Dallas backup job to Sam Howell, is waived, then returns to the practice squad
- Oct. 11, 2026: Jalen Hurts' last game, at Jacksonville
- Oct. 16, 2026: Eagles sign Milton off the Cowboys' practice squad
- Oct. 17, 2026: Eagles place Hurts on injured reserve
- Oct. 19, 2026: Team and agent say Hurts is out indefinitely with blood clots in both lungs
- Next three games: Tanner McKee starts; Eagles go 0-3
- Nov. 2, 2026 (Mon.): Sirianni says McKee remains the starter
- Nov. 4, 2026: Reports: Milton will start vs. the Giants
- Nov. 8, 2026: Giants at Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
FAQ
When is Joe Milton's first start for the Eagles?
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Why did the Eagles bench Tanner McKee?
Philadelphia went 0-3 in McKee's starts, extending a six-game losing streak. He completed 63.2% of passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
What is the Eagles quarterback change, explained simply?
Jalen Hurts is out with blood clots in his lungs, McKee filled in for three losses, and the team is now turning to Joe Milton, its third starter of the season.
Where did Joe Milton play before the Eagles?
He was drafted by the Patriots in 2024, traded to the Cowboys in April 2025 and signed by the Eagles off Dallas' practice squad on Oct. 16, 2026.
Is Jalen Hurts out for the season?
Hurts is on injured reserve after doctors found blood clots in both lungs; ESPN reports he is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Related on SmartNewsHQ
Sources
- ESPN: Slumping Eagles turn to Joe Milton as starting QB vs. Giants (Nov. 4, 2026)
- NBC Sports/PFT: Report: Eagles to start Joe Milton at QB this week
- NBC Sports Philadelphia: Eagles making the switch to QB Joe Milton for Week 9
- USA Today: Joe Milton to start at QB for Eagles, who bench Tanner McKee
- Giants.com: Giants vs. Eagles — how to watch, Week 9
SmartNewsHQ is an independent news aggregator and is not affiliated with the NFL or any team. Injury and lineup news can change quickly; check the teams' official channels before game day.