PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to release veteran quarterback Andy Dalton on Friday highlights a sudden roster squeeze driven by health issues and swift personnel changes, NFL Media reported.
Dalton’s departure comes during a volatile stretch for the franchise just days before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, according to NBC Sports and the New York Post. Confronted with multiple offensive injuries and recent major shifts along the offensive line, team officials opted to free up a position on the 53-man active roster rather than carry an experienced third-string passer, reporters indicated.
Roster strain forces front-office choices
Philadelphia entered the week navigating substantial turbulence across the depth chart. Right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, and the organization traded two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and a future draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday in exchange for two future selections, the New York Post reported.
Simultaneously, injuries have depleted Philadelphia’s skill positions ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the AFC South-leading Jaguars. Running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith have been ruled out due to hamstring issues, while running back Tank Bigsby will sit out because of a core muscle injury, according to the New York Post. With limited depth available at key offensive spots, team brass needed room to add reinforcements.
Dalton became the odd man out after slipping on the depth chart. The Eagles originally acquired the 38-year-old signal-caller from the Carolina Panthers in March, sending away a seventh-round pick, Bleacher Report noted. After entering the regular season as the primary backup behind starter Jalen Hurts, Dalton lost that role following Week 3.
A swift fall on the depth chart
Dalton’s regular-season action in Philadelphia was limited to a single pass attempt. During a 27-7 defeat to the Chicago Bears in Week 3, Hurts temporarily departed to undergo a concussion evaluation. Dalton entered the contest and threw an end-zone interception on his only throw of the game, according to game reports.
By Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, coaching staff members restored Tanner McKee to the primary backup role, NBC Sports and SB Nation reported. Moving forward, McKee and rookie Cole Payton will serve as the backups behind Hurts. SB Nation noted that holding four quarterbacks on the active roster became untenable given the team’s pressing personnel deficits elsewhere.
Statistically, Dalton’s lone attempt could leave him on the wrong side of an uncommon league milestone. If he does not throw another pass during the 2026 campaign, he would become only the seventh passer in league history to conclude a full season with an 0-for-1 passing mark and an interception, according to Associated Press research cited by Bleacher Report. The most recent quarterback to register that precise season-long line was Feleipe Franks for the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
What happens next
Despite Dalton’s release, his tenure with the organization might not be completely over. Because Dalton is an experienced veteran, he does not have to clear waivers, SB Nation pointed out. Both Mike Garafolo of NFL Media and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Dalton could potentially return to Philadelphia as a member of the practice squad or rejoin the active 53-man roster once the current roster issues stabilize.
For now, the Eagles must finalize corresponding roster moves to field an eligible roster before kickoff in London on Sunday.
