PHI Cole Payton
NFL quarterback. Position: QB. Team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: North Dakota State
- Draft: 2026 NFL Draft, 6th round, Philadelphia Eagles
2026 Outlook
Rookie developmental quarterback with the Eagles. Payton is behind both Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton on the depth chart but will receive late-game work in preseason to evaluate his development. His challenge is proving he can process Sean Mannion's system, use his athleticism, and make sound decisions against NFL-level defenders. The Eagles' evaluation will influence whether they view him as a practice-squad developmental arm or a potential future asset (per Eagles backup quarterback battle moves into preseason spotlight). In the preseason finale vs. Cincinnati, Payton got a brief appearance, with HC Sirianni noting it's expected he'll spend 2026 "memorizing the playbook from cover to cover"—indicating long-term development focus rather than immediate roster impact (per Eagles news: Nick Sirianni believes QB2 battle is in 'good spot' amid preseason shakiness).
Plan to move/practice squad: Philadelphia's strategy at QB positions Payton as a potential practice-squad prospect or trade asset. The team traded for veteran Andy Dalton and retained Tanner McKee as backups, viewing the position broadly as a place to extract value via trade or waiver acquisition rather than develop in-house. Payton may be exposed to practice squad eligibility if final roster cuts move him off the active 53-man roster (per Eagles quarterbacks and other position groups NFL teams should monitor for potential trades or waiver claims).
Role / Depth Chart
Third-string QB, developmental. Expected to see limited preseason snaps but given opportunities to grow in the Eagles' system.
Open Questions
- Will Cole Payton be kept on the Eagles' roster or practice squad for 2026? Status: open Last touched: 2026-08-13
Recent News
- 2026-08-13 — Eagles backup QB battle: rookie Cole Payton gets developmental opportunity (Eagles backup quarterback battle moves into preseason spotlight)