The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton, giving away a seventh-round pick. However, one NFL analyst believes Dalton's underwhelming OTA performance raises questions about his QB2 role.

Anthony Miller of Inside the Iggles wrote that Dalton’s performance did not meet the expectations set by his records, as he was splitting reps with Tanner McKee, another QB2 competitor.

"Andy Dalton did not exactly excite Eagles fans with his OTA performance," Miller wrote. "The media saw Dalton play more at QB2 than McKee, so Dalton got the short end of the stick with more reports and sightings of him not playing the best under the new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion."

McKee played as the backup QB last year. But looking at his 55.8% completions over four games for 274 yards, the Eagles added a veteran to spin things in the offseason.

Miller wrote in the Inside the Iggles report that Dalton could be traded or cut during the training camp if he fails to deliver as a possible fit for the QB2 or QB3 role, as the Eagles would prefer to retain rookie Cole Payton and McKee.

Though McKee was speculated to be traded during the offseason, he is set to be a part of the roster for the time being.

Meanwhile, Andy Dalton has posted an overall completion of 3,539 for 5,651 passes attempted (62.6%) and 254 touchdowns. Compared to McKee's six games overall, that surely adds experience to the locker room.

Elliott Shorr-Parks, Eagles reporter for 94WIP.com, shared similar beliefs to Miller, as he projected Dalton to end up in the practice squad.

"Even though there is a QB competition at backup QB, I could see Andy Dalton landing on the practice squad," Shorr-Parks wrote in his X post. "More likely to be cut and put on the PS than McKee or Payton."

As Dalton heads into the training camp (July 28), another Eagles analyst has also pointed him out as one of the 'stock down' players because of his inconsistent offseason practices.

Dalton's OTA struggles continue to raise concerns

Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation pointed out Dalton as one of the 'losers' from the Eagles' offseason practices.

"But even on his best day, Dalton’s lacking arm strength was apparent as he barely completed some out routes that were tightly contested by defenders," Gowton wrote in his Bleeding Green Nation article. "And aside from that, one day, Dalton struggled. Inaccurate passes were an issue, and he threw multiple interceptions."

Gowton raised doubts about Dalton's roster position if McKee lands the backup spot, despite being less experienced than Dalton.

While Dalton served as Hurts' backup for most of the offseason practices, his roster spot would ultimately be decided in training camp.

Who do you think will be the QB2 for the Eagles in 2026?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote