The most shocking fact about the Eagles’ new starting quarterback is not his arm strength or his college stats. It is that Joe Milton has spent his entire time in Philadelphia preparing as if he were the starter, even though he was sitting on a practice squad in Dallas just three weeks ago. While the rest of the league assumed he was just a backup waiting for a call, Milton was already running the offense in his head. The 26-year-old joins the team with only 21 days to learn a new system before facing the New York Giants on Sunday.
Milton arrived in Philadelphia on Oct. 16 after the Eagles placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve. He replaced Tanner McKee, who started the last three games but could not stop the team’s six-game losing streak. The decision to switch quarterbacks came after a 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. Milton now takes the field for his first NFL start with a team that has lost six straight games. Per The Morning Call, Milton sounded ready when asked about his preparation during his time with the Cowboys.
Preparation Before Arrival
Milton trained while he was not on the Eagles roster. He did not wait to be signed to start studying the plays. Instead, he treated every week in Dallas as if he were about to play. Milton said he was “just pretty much going through the plays, going through the week like I was a starter, or like I was playing, and just being ready,” according to The Morning Call. He knew that in the NFL, a player must be ready when his name is called. The switch made by the coaching staff on Wednesday arrived for him.
Sean Mannion got a head start learning the West Coast offense from the approach. Alex Van Pelt taught Milton the offense he now sees reflected in the system during his rookie season in New England. He has also received help from McKee, who is helping him understand the finer points of the playbook. McKee told reporters he has been talking to Milton about different reads and footwork to help slow his thinking down. This support from a teammate who just lost his job shows a rare level of professionalism in a high-stress environment.
Teammates See a Different Energy
The players around Milton are already buying into the change. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown said Milton has a lot of “swag” and confidence that fits the moment. Tight end Dallas Goedert pointed to Milton’s athleticism and his “cannon of an arm” as key assets. Rookie tight end Eli Stowers added that the ball feels different when Milton throws it because it hits the hands pretty quick.
Milton’s physical tools stand out even more when looking at his past performance. During his longest NFL outing versus Buffalo in January 2025, he threw for 241 yards and a touchdown while finishing 22 of 29 passes. He also rushed for a score in that 23-16 victory for the Patriots. According to Inquirer.com, quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier stated that his arm talent is what stands out most about him. This mobility and strength offer a different dimension than McKee provided, giving the offense a new way to attack defenses.
Sunday Against the Giants
The test begins on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles need a win to stop the bleeding against a division rival. Milton has to process post-snap pictures quickly while the Giants try to confuse him. The team does not have a full week of practice together, so the execution will rely on his ability to stay calm. Milton said, “And that’s what the NFL is about — just being ready when your name is called, and just preparing for those moments,” per The Morning Call. His name has been called, and the Eagles are hoping his preparation pays off in the red zone.
