The Philadelphia Eagles added another new quarterback during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Eagles selected North Dakota State’s Cole Payton at No. 178 overall in the fifth round.
Payton will join a quarterback room that already includes Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee.
With three signal-callers already ahead of Payton, the likelihood of the rookie playing in Philadelphia this fall seems slim. But Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t rule it out when asked about the possibility of Payton seeing the field in 2026.
“We’ll see. We’ll see how that goes. We’re going to get him here, get him acclimated here. We’ll have a chance next weekend at rookie minicamp, learning the playbook,” said Sirianni when asked if he was open to finding a way to get Payton on the field in 2026. “Then we’ll see where we go from there.”
The Eagles head coach made that remark after heaping significant praise on the fifth-round rookie.
“Really, really athletic, really good with the ball in his hands in the quarterback run game, made great decisions with the football, accurate passer,” said Sirianni. “72 percent last year as a starter, and you can’t be that unless you’re making good, accurate throws and going the right place with the ball.
“There are some ‘Wow’ plays on his tape that are really impressive. I think I charted four times he jumped over somebody. Or I wrote down a bunch of times, ‘He’s the best athlete on the field.’”
Eagles Adding Cole Payton to QB Room
Sirianni hardly guaranteed Payton anything with his response to the question about the quarterback playing this season. But notably, the coach also didn’t shoot it down.
That’s notable given the team’s other quarterbacks. Payton also played at the FCS level in college, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if Siranni told reporters the signal-caller needed a “redshirt” season in 2026.
Instead, it’s possible the Eagles try to utilize Payton as a runner. At North Dakota State, Payton gained 1,918 yards on the ground, averaging 6.7 yards per carry in his college career.
Last season alone, he posted a career-best 777 rushing yards with 13 rushing touchdowns. Payton also had 13 rushing scores in 2023.
That playmaking ability is where Payton could potentially make an early impact for the Eagles. As a passer, the North Dakota State product is still raw. While he completed 72% of his attempts last season, he only had 224 throws over a 13-game season last year.
Eagles QB Depth After 2026 NFL Draft
With Payton, the Eagles have four signal-callers on their roster. That gives the team a crowded quarterback room.
But Roseman has always emphasized quarterback, drafting before a need arises. That’s why the team has Hurts as its starter.
Roseman explained to reporters Saturday the team targeted Payton because he was the best prospect available.
“He was the highest guy on the board, and obviously, it’s an important position,” said Roseman. “We feel really good about the three quarterbacks who are here.
“We plan to have them here; we’re excited to have them here. This has nothing to do with them. It was about staying true to the process.”
The Eagles general manager concluded saying the team is open to carrying four quarterbacks to begin the 2026 NFL season. It will be easier for Philadelphia to justify that if Payton also contributes at other positions.
Eagles’ Nick Sirianni Speaks out on Potential QB Cole Payton Plays Immediately