The Eagles drafted quarterback Cole Payton in the fifth round, marking their third QB selection in four years. This move may influence the QB room behind Jalen Hurts and potentially lead to a trade.
Key points
Eagles drafted Cole Payton in the fifth round of the NFL draft
This is the third QB drafted by the Eagles in four years
Payton's selection may influence the QB room behind Jalen Hurts
The Eagles have a strategy for developing quarterbacks
Payton could lead to a trade of another quarterback
EaglesCole PaytonJalen Hurts
PHILADELPHIA − It's not surprising that the Eagles drafted a quarterback when they took Cole Payton in the fifth round of the NFL draft on April 25.
It was the third time in four seasons that the self-proclaimed "Quarterback Factory" drafted one. But it wasn't done to challenge starter Jalen Hurts. After all, the Eagles drafted Payton, just like the other two, in the fifth round or later.
Yet there is a method behind the Eagles' infatuation with developmental quarterbacks. And in Payton, this might be the Eagles' most mad-scientist type of pick since the Eagles drafted Hurts in the second round in 2020.
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Miami offensive lineman Markel Bell (OL04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium.
Q&A
Why did the Eagles draft Cole Payton in the fifth round?
The Eagles drafted Cole Payton to continue their strategy of developing quarterbacks, not to challenge Jalen Hurts.
How could Cole Payton impact the Eagles' quarterback situation?
Cole Payton's development could lead to changes in the QB room, possibly resulting in a trade of another quarterback.
What is the significance of the Eagles' 'Quarterback Factory' approach?
The 'Quarterback Factory' approach reflects the Eagles' commitment to developing talent at the quarterback position, which has implications for team strategy.
How many quarterbacks have the Eagles drafted in recent years?
The Eagles have drafted a quarterback three times in the last four seasons, indicating a consistent focus on the position.
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Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) rushes the line past Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) of Miami lines up during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) reacts after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Miami (FL) Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) celebrates after going up 31-27 against the Mississippi Rebels late in the fourth quarter during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and CFP semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale.
Nov 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks SMU Mustangs defensive end Isaiah Smith (1) during the game between the Mustangs and the Hurricanes at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks against California Golden Bears linebacker Xavier Carlton (44) during the second quarter Oct. 5, 2024, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
1 / 13
Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami offensive lineman Markel Bell (OL04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium.
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) rushes the line past Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) of Miami lines up during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) reacts after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
10 / 13
Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
11 / 13
Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami (FL) Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) celebrates after going up 31-27 against the Mississippi Rebels late in the fourth quarter during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and CFP semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale.
12 / 13
Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Nov 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks SMU Mustangs defensive end Isaiah Smith (1) during the game between the Mustangs and the Hurricanes at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Meet Markel Bell, Eagles third-round draft pick in photos
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) blocks against California Golden Bears linebacker Xavier Carlton (44) during the second quarter Oct. 5, 2024, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Back then, the Eagles had a franchise quarterback in Carson Wentz, who less than a year earlier got a contract extension that at the time made him the highest-paid QB in the NFL.
Hurts was drafted to serve as a cost-effective backup and occasional gadget QB. That is, until Wentz had a miserable season and was benched, with Hurts playing the final 4½ games of a lost season.
As it stands now, Payton would be the No. 4 QB behind Hurts, Tanner McKee (sixth round, 2023) and Andy Dalton, the 38-year-old whom the Eagles traded for in April. Dalton has thrown for just under 40,000 yards in his career that dates back to 2011.
But the Eagles would be ecstatic if Payton can prove himself during the spring organized team activities, then again in training camp beginning in late July and the preseason games that begin in August.
If that happens, the Eagles could consider trading McKee.
Eagles quarterback Cole Payton runs drills during rookie minicamp at the Jefferson Health Training Center in Philadelphia on May 1, 2026
Eagles quarterback Cole Payton runs drills during rookie minicamp at the Jefferson Health Training Center in Philadelphia on May 1, 2026
For Payton, that process began during the Eagles' rookie minicamp held from May 1-2. Payton, a left-handed thrower, was the only quarterback taking part in the two practices.
It should be noted that Eagles GM Howie Roseman made it clear neither trading for Dalton nor drafting Payton was done in order to trade McKee.
"We feel really good about the three (other) quarterbacks that are here," Roseman said after drafting Payton. "This has nothing to do with them. It was about staying true to the process ... (of) taking the best player available at an important position. We’ll let it play out. We’ve talked about it. We’re open to carrying four quarterbacks, for sure.
"If you talk about it being the most important position in sports, and you have four good ones, why wouldn’t you keep them?"
Here's why: For one, keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is counter-productive and takes away from keeping players who can contribute at other positions. Secondly, if the Eagles wanted to stash Payton on the practice squad, they would first have to expose him to waivers. He could thus be claimed by any of the 31 other NFL teams.
It seems more plausible that the Eagles would consider trading McKee, who was the Eagles' No. 2 QB last season and for part of the 2024 Super Bowl season.
That's because McKee is entering the final year of his rookie contract. For McKee to return in 2027, the Eagles would have to give him a lucrative extension, which for a top backup QB could be in the $20 million per year range in average annual value.
With Hurts in the midst of his five-year, $255 million contract, having two QBs count as much as $60 million on the 2027 salary cap, or nearly one-fifth of the total cap, is not cost-effective. If McKee were to stay with the Eagles this season, the Eagles would get nothing in return if McKee were to leave in free agency next spring.
That's why Payton's development this spring and summer could be crucial to the Eagles' future plans. Keep in mind that a quarterback on another team, whether a starter or a top backup, could get injured during training camp or in one of the preseason games.
And if it's a team with playoff aspirations, they would be apt to trade for someone like McKee, who can either be a starter or a top backup. That could net the Eagles a mid-round draft pick in 2027.
But before the Eagles would even consider that, they would have to be confident that Payton can at least serve as a No. 3 QB.
That was not the case last year when the Eagles drafted Kyle McCord in the sixth round. Back then, the Eagles had Hurts, McKee, McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the roster. But neither McCord nor Thompson-Robinson distinguished themselves through the spring and summer.
So when McKee broke his thumb during a preseason game, the Eagles traded for veteran Sam Howell to serve as the backup until McKee recovered. Thompson-Robinson was released and McCord was waived, then signed to the practice squad, where he spent the season.
The Packers signed McCord to a futures contract in January.
Payton, who's 6-foot-3, 233 pounds, is bigger and faster than McCord, and has the ability to run and escape pressure. Payton threw for 2,719 yards last season at North Dakota State, and he ran for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
That was Payton's only season as a starter. But Payton admitted that he also tried other positions while at NDSU.
"In college, I got a couple reps at running back, at tight end even in a game, so we played with that a little bit," Payton said. "In practice, I was doing special teams drills. As a junior, I also started on punt team, even as the backup quarterback. So I’ve done a little bit of it."
That, of course, can get Payton on the field. It just won't be as the emergency QB because that player is considered "inactive" on game day unless both the starting and backup QBs can't play. But what if Payton earns a role on special teams? Then he can stay on the game-day roster, contribute on special teams and possibly serve as a gadget QB.
Payton was asked if he would be open to trying new positions in the NFL.
