The Eagles’ seventh training camp practice of 2026 brought the kind of sweaty, short-session grind you’d expect in late summer - just under 90 minutes at the Jefferson Health Training Complex - and the backup quarterback race was the loudest thing on the field.
Jalen Hurts was efficient while working with a lighter passing load, and Tanner McKee made his strongest push yet. Andy Dalton still looks like he has the edge, but Friday gave McKee a real argument.
Hurts finished 9-for-11, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks’ charting, and the Eagles mixed in a healthy dose of run plays around him. His first 11-on-11 snap came on an under-center play-action look, with Hurts rolling right and finding Elijah Moore for an easy completion after Moore had been in motion before the snap. Later, Hurts showed more punch from the pocket, drilling a throw over the middle to Darius Cooper in a tight window.
He also hit Dallas Goedert twice - once on a curl route near the numbers with Riq Woolen in the area, and again on a short throw with Jihaad Campbell trailing. Hurts even turned a busted-looking play into something after pressure from Jalen Carter, who got through Jake Majors, forcing Hurts to take off and juke Cooper DeJean in the open field. In the red zone, Hurts drew Moro Ojomo offsides with a hard count.
It was a good day for Hurts on a personal level, too: he turned 28, and his teammates sang happy birthday to him during the post-practice huddle.
McKee, though, was the story in the QB2 battle. He took the first reps with the second-team offense and looked sharper than he has at any point this summer.
His best throw of camp up to that point was a strike to Danny Gray down the right sideline. He also kept finding Darius Cooper, hitting him over the middle and then again on the left sideline with good timing and anticipation.
McKee finished strong with a touchdown throw to Johnny Wilson in the back right corner of the end zone, where Wilson made the contested catch.
There were still some misses. Smael Mondon Jr. batted down one of McKee’s throws near the line, and McKee also sailed an out route to Gray on the left side. But this was clearly his cleanest practice of camp.
Dalton wasn’t bad, either. He connected with Wilson on a deep ball that would have set the offense up just short of the goal line, then later found Erik Ezukanma and Samari Toure on similar routes to the left side.
Even so, the veteran’s lack of zip and arm strength continues to show up. At the moment, Dalton still has the lead, but McKee trimmed the gap on Friday morning.
Up front, Markel Bell continued to work with the first-team offense at right tackle while Lane Johnson was eased back in. Bell has taken those reps again, instead of rotating with Fred Johnson, and it’s starting to look like the rookie may be pulling ahead for at least the backup right tackle spot.
The injury report was busy. DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Britain Covey, Cole Wisniewski, and Keyshawn James-Newby all did not participate.
Lane Johnson was limited as he “progressing his workload,” while Chance Campbell and Micah Morris were also limited. Cam Jurgens went to the medical tent during practice and did not return.
There was also some work between the offensive and defensive lines that stood out. Jake Majors got beaten by Byron Young, while Michael Jordan held up against a bull rush from Gabe Hall.
Myles Hinton shut down Zion Wilson, and Wee Willie Lampkin didn’t give up any ground to Wilson either. Ty Robinson was repeatedly stifled by either Jordan or Micah Morris.
Jordan Davis also got credit for a “sack” before Jurgens left practice, thanks to pressure up the middle.
With Jurgens out, Majors filled in at center with the first unit, though it wasn’t clear why Drew Kendall didn’t get those snaps instead. Majors has usually been the second-team center, but the reps didn’t exactly make a case for him.
There were a few other notable moments. E.J.
Jenkins lost the ball when Kapena Gushiken punched it free and recovered the fumble. Eli Stowers made a catch along the right sideline that actually stood out because it was beyond five yards.
Ezukanma had a drop, and Toure couldn’t haul in a deep shot that hit him in the hands.
And yes, someone showed up in a Jason Babin jersey.
Among the guests at practice were Jaylen Brown, Torrey Smith, and Vinny Curry. Brown, who was spotted dapping up Saquon Barkley, spent most of his time near Big Dom.
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