Feb. 23, 2026, 10:54 a.m. ET

The phrase “quarterback factory” didn’t appear out of thin air. First, Howie Roseman gave us the term. Second, the Philadelphia Eagles have earned that reputation by consistently investing in the position.

They do so even when they already have a franchise starter. Jalen Hurts isn’t going anywhere, but history says that won’t stop Philadelphia from evaluating developmental passers every spring.

There’s another wrinkle here, too. Tanner McKee has flashed enough in limited opportunities to generate outside interest. Some league observers believe he could eventually become trade bait if the right offer materializes.

If that happens, or even if the Eagles want stronger depth and competition, adding a rookie makes sense. A backup quarterback in this system isn’t just an insurance policy. It’s a potential future asset. That said, here are a few 2026 NFL Draft prospects who fit the Eagles’ profile.

Drew Allar suffered a season-ending leg injury against Northwestern on October 11. Before that, he completed 65 percent of his passes en route to 1,100 yards through the air and an 8-3 TD to interception ratio.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Altmyer completed 67 percent of his passes last season and notched 3,007 yards with 22 touchdowns vs. only five interceptions. He’s a good game manager, and we mean it as a compliment.

2025 was a disappointing season for Cade Klubnik. He didn’t play up to his first-round billing. He’s a project, but there’s some talent in there somewhere. He’s a two-time ACC Championship Game MVP (2022, 2024).

Sawyer Robertson is a Lubbock, Texas native who spent two seasons with the Mississippi State Bulldogs before transferring to Baylor. With the Bears, he completed 60.4 percent of his passes and threw for 3,681 yards with 31 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions. He earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors last season for his efforts.

Jalon Daniels completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,531 yards last season. He tossed 22 touchdowns vs. seven interceptions. He also added one rushing touchdown.

From the school that Carson Wentz and Trey Lance helped build, we dip into the pool one more time. May we offer Cole Payton for your viewing pleasure. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards last season. He tossed 16 touchdowns vs. only four interceptions. Maybe the third time is the charm with this Bison quarterback idea.

Food for thought:

The Eagles don’t draft backup quarterbacks out of fear. They do so out of philosophy. Competition, development, and asset management are part of the organizational DNA.

Whether McKee stays or eventually becomes part of a trade package, the smart bet is that Philadelphia continues feeding the factory. Because in this building, quarterback depth isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategy.