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By Tyler Erzberger
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Jalen Hurts is not going anywhere as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2026.
Even after a turbulent season that saw the offense stagnate after winning the Super Bowl behind Hurts, Philadelphia would be foolish to look anywhere but at their franchise signal-caller, who has shown that he can get it done in the biggest moments.
But that doesn't mean the Eagles can prepare for the future.
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The Eagles have shown their love for North Dakota State QBs before, taking Carson Wentz as the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
And a decade later, albeit much later, the Eagles picked possibly the next great QB to come out of the NDSU program, Cole Payton, an all-around elite athlete.
While there were some rumors that a team might try to convert him to a tight end or fullback, Payton is a long-term project that Philadelphia has the time to turn the youngster into a possible juggernaut if he reaches his full potential.
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As a prospect, Payton is similar to Anthony Richardson in terms of athleticism, and we saw what happened when the Indianapolis Colts tried to throw their rookie into the deep end. Richardson drowned, and it not only hurt the player but the franchise as a whole.
In contrast, the Eagles can put pool floaties on Payton and help him learn how to play quarterback over the next two to three years, moving up the depth chart and establishing himself as the backup for Hurts.
Then, when Hurts' contract ends after the 2028 season, the Eagles can survey the landscape and see what they want to do.
Is Payton good enough to take over as the future?
Is Hurts still rolling along and capable of another big-time contract?
And if neither is an option, they can look towards the 2029 NFL Draft or another avenue, possibly with another developmental QB they acquired along the way.
Cole Payton is a lottery ticket, and one that teams like the Eagles, who draft, develop, and sign well, are allowed to take.
He might be nothing, just a name heard a few times in NFL lore before becoming a staple north of the border or in arena football, or maybe he's the next great Eagles QB.
Only time will tell.
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