Can Cole Payton Surpass Jalen Hurts As Philadelphia's Starting QB?
Jalen Hurts remains the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, with no immediate plans to replace him despite a challenging season. The Eagles drafted Cole Payton, a highly athletic quarterback from North Dakota State, as a long-term developmental project. Payton could eventually succeed Hurts, who is under contract through 2028, but his development will be carefully managed over the coming years.
- ▪Jalen Hurts is expected to remain the Eagles' starting quarterback through at least 2028.
- ▪The Eagles selected Cole Payton in the 2026 NFL Draft as a developmental quarterback from North Dakota State.
- ▪Payton is viewed as a long-term project who could eventually succeed Hurts, but his development will take two to three years.
- ▪The Eagles are taking a cautious approach with Payton, learning from examples like Anthony Richardson's struggles in Indianapolis.
- ▪Philadelphia has a history of drafting quarterbacks from North Dakota State, including Carson Wentz in 2016.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
By Tyler ErzbergerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Jalen Hurts is not going anywhere as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2026.Even after a turbulent season that saw the offense stagnate after winning the Super Bowl behind Hurts, Philadelphia would be foolish to look anywhere but at their franchise signal-caller, who has shown that he can get it done in the biggest moments.But that doesn't mean the Eagles can prepare for the future.The Eagles have shown their love for North Dakota State QBs before, taking Carson Wentz as the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.And a decade later, albeit much later, the Eagles picked possibly the…
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