Sirianni noncommittal on Eagles' No. 2 QB job after Dalton's red-zone interception
Nick Sirianni declined to commit to Andy Dalton as the backup quarterback this week, two days after Dalton threw a red-zone interception while Jalen Hurts was in concussion protocol
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Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is not saying who will back up Jalen Hurts this week, two days after Andy Dalton threw a red-zone interception while Hurts was undergoing a concussion check on Monday night.
Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane): Asked #Eagles HC Nick Sirianni if he still liked Andy Dalton as his No. 2 QB: He pointed out the INT wasn't up to standard, but said, "I like everybody in that [QB] room."
Asked whether he still liked Dalton as his No. 2 quarterback, Sirianni pointed out the interception was not up to standard but said he likes everybody in the quarterback room. The noncommittal answer leaves the backup job in question after Dalton's mistake in the loss to the Bears. On third-and-goal from the 2, Dalton hit Bears rookie safety Dillon Thieneman in the hands in the back of the end zone, and Hurts returned for the next possession. Dalton acknowledged the error, saying he did not see the safety in the middle and could not put the team in that situation.
Sirianni said he has faith in all three backups — Dalton, Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton — and noted the team cannot turn the ball over. The Eagles carried four quarterbacks this season because of the lack of a clear No. 2, with Dalton beating out McKee for the job in camp. Whether that pecking order holds for this week's game remains to be seen, but the coach's refusal to commit signals the competition may not be fully settled.