The Philadelphia Eagles made another bold roster move on Friday, releasing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton ahead of their Week 5 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The news, first reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, comes just days after the team suffered a tough loss to the Chicago Bears, where Dalton saw his only action of the season.
Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler, appeared in the Eagles' Week 3 game against the Bears and threw a costly interception at the goal line. Despite that miscue, Garafolo noted that this might not be the end of Dalton's time in Philadelphia. "This doesn't close the door on Andy Dalton's tenure with the Eagles," he said. "They have a lot of injuries and needed his spot. Could still return, even via a practice-squad spot, a source informed says."
The 37-year-old signal-caller has enjoyed a productive career, amassing 39,793 passing yards and 254 touchdowns across 180 games, mostly with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Father Time is undefeated, and Dalton's best days are clearly behind him. The Eagles are now turning to a younger duo—Tanner McKee and Cole Payton—to serve as backups for starter Jalen Hurts.
This latest move is part of a whirlwind week for the Eagles organization. On Wednesday, the team traded Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2027 fifth-rounder and a 2028 second-round pick. The trade has been widely seen as a signal that Philadelphia is entering full rebuild mode, a notion that has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.
Adding to the chaos, All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement mid-season, citing a desire to focus on his family and mental health. And as if losing two pillars of the offensive line wasn't enough, the team ruled out star running back Saquon Barkley for Sunday's game due to injury.
With so many key pieces missing, the pressure is squarely on Jalen Hurts to carry the load. The Eagles' offense has struggled at times this season, and critics have been quick to point out shortcomings in Hurts' play. Some Eagles legends have even ripped Hurts after a rough start, questioning whether he's truly the franchise quarterback Philadelphia believes him to be.
Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars won't be easy. Jacksonville has shown flashes of brilliance this season, and with the Eagles' offensive line in shambles, Hurts could be in for a long afternoon. The team will need a herculean effort from their quarterback and a resilient performance from the backups if they hope to escape with a win.
For Dalton, this release is just the latest chapter in a storied career that has seen him go from franchise cornerstone to journeyman. Whether he lands on a practice squad or finds a new home elsewhere, one thing is certain: his experience and leadership could still be valuable to a team in need.
As the Eagles prepare for Sunday's showdown, the focus now shifts to Hurts and the ragtag group of backups behind him. It's a daunting task, but in the NFL, opportunity often arises from adversity. The Eagles will need to dig deep if they want to avoid another disappointing loss.
