Eagles Depth Chart: The notable calls and open questions ahead of Week 1

The Eagles released their first official depth chart of the 2026 season on Tuesday, ahead of Sunday’s opener against the Washington Commanders. The chart is put together by the team’s media relations department, so it isn’t a perfect mirror of how the coaching staff and front office actually view every position, but it does confirm some outcomes and leave others deliberately open.

Here’s what stands out.

Eagles still haven’t settled on a backup quarterback

Jalen Hurts is obviously QB1. Behind him, Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are both listed at No. 2, separated by a slash mark instead of a clear order. Cole Payton is third string.

Neither Dalton nor McKee separated himself in camp or preseason. Combined, the two threw for under 450 yards and three touchdowns on 89 attempts, and neither posted a 5.0 yards-per-attempt average or an 80.0 passer rating. Nick Sirianni has said he’s comfortable with either option, and Howie Roseman has defended carrying four quarterbacks by pointing to how valuable the position is league-wide, citing the Packers trading Kyle McCord for a sixth-round pick as an example of what a backup can bring back.

Some outlets have tried to read into the order (Dalton listed before McKee) as a hint, since the Eagles didn’t use alphabetical order at other positions with a shared slash-mark listing. It’s a thin signal, the real answer probably doesn’t come until Hurts has to leave a game.

Makai Lemon’s role on the Eagles depth chart is bigger than expected

Lemon is one of three starting receivers for the Eagles, alongside DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, after working back from the hamstring injury that cost him most of camp. That part wasn’t a surprise.

What is notable: Lemon is also listed as the Eagles’ primary punt returner, ahead of Elijah Moore. He fielded just six punts in his entire college career at USC, and he muffed (then recovered) a punt in his preseason debut against the Bengals. Britain Covey, the Eagles’ punt returner for the last four seasons, was among final roster cuts, and he has a track record of being waived and then elevated from the practice squad for Week 1, having done it in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

Marcus Epps wins the Eagles’ starting safety job

Epps is listed as the starter at safety next to Andrew Mukuba, taking over the job that opened when Reed Blankenship signed with Houston. That’s notable given Epps didn’t play in any Eagles preseason games, while his main competition, Michael Carter II, did.

Epps has been here before. He started the final four games of last season and the playoff loss after Mukuba’s season-ending ankle injury, grading well against the run (77.6 PFF grade) but below average in coverage (49.4). Cooper DeJean will still play safety in base packages, with Epps sliding into more of a nickel role.

Other notable items on the Eagles depth chart

• Eli Stowers is third at tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt, but E.J. Jenkins may actually see more snaps early because of his blocking and red-zone ability. Stowers isn’t viewed as ready for significant offensive work yet.
• Jonathan Greenard is listed with a slash mark at both EDGE spots — next to Jalyx Hunt on one side, Nolan Smith on the other — pointing to a three-man rotation once he’s fully up to speed, with Greenard expected to play more on the right.
• Markel Bell is the backup left tackle and Fred Johnson the backup right tackle, the opposite of what some expected since Bell reportedly beat out Johnson for the No. 3 tackle job in camp.
• Jonathan Jones is considered the top backup cornerback on the outside, while Michael Carter II is the top backup to Cooper DeJean in the slot.

None of this changes what the Eagles are heading into Week 1. But the depth chart makes clear a few real questions — quarterback depth, tight end snaps, the punt return job — are still going to get sorted out in-season rather than on paper.

Speaking of getting a real look at this roster, catch it live with Phans of Philly.

Phans of Philly has trip packages open now for Eagles at Titans in Nashville, Week 2. Hotel, tickets, private tailgate, and airport transfers all handled, you just get to the airport. The Liberty Line has run with Phans of Philly on the road for four years and gone 7-1. Deposits are open now and spots are moving.

Lock in your spot »