Eagles Release Andy Dalton After Backup Role Shift

The Philadelphia Eagles released quarterback Andy Dalton on October 9, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, ending the veteran’s brief tenure with the team. Dalton had initially won the backup job behind Jalen Hurts, but Tanner McKee had moved ahead of him before the release, according to reports. Philadelphia acquired Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in March, sending a 2027 seventh-round draft pick in the trade. He joined a four-quarterback group that also included Hurts, McKee and rookie Cole Payton. The release leaves McKee and Payton as the reported options behind Hurts. Dalton appeared in one regular-season game for Philadelphia. In Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, he entered while Hurts was undergoing evaluation after a hit. Dalton threw an interception on his only reported pass attempt for the Eagles. The sequence preceded his demotion to the third-string role, with McKee taking over as the top backup, the reports said. Dalton had begun the season as Hurts’ primary backup after winning the job over McKee. The Eagles’ decision to release him followed that change in the depth chart.