Eagles shift QB3 rotation in preseason

A closer look at how the Eagles used depth and rotation in the preseason loss to the Browns.

Eagles shift QB3 battle with new preseason plan

The Eagles released their official snap counts from the preseason loss to the Browns, and the readings point to a deliberate evaluation of depth and the QB3 role. Brett Toth started at left guard while Landon Dickerson was out, then moved to center as the team shuffled interior lines. Drew Kendall also moved from center to left guard, a sign the coaches want to test versatile options behind the starting line. In the quarterback group, Kyle McCord took the majority of QB3 reps while Dorian Thompson-Robinson saw limited action, suggesting the staff is prioritizing a closer look at the rookie after a slower start to camp. On offense, Ainias Smith and Kylen Granson shared targets with Granson edging ahead in the TE3 competition, while Cam Latu and Ben VanSumeren contributed on special teams.

Defensively, Byron Young appeared in his Eagles debut and the rotation included several young corners such as Jihaad Campbell, Kelee Ringo, and Mac McWilliams in varying roles. Sydney Brown played slightly longer than Andrew Mukuba, with Mukuba making a stronger case for a starting position. The defense used a mix of veterans and rookies, preserving some players for later games. On special teams, Ben VanSumeren returned kicks and played multiple roles, and Braden Mann punted seven times, underscoring the punter’s workload in August. Off the field, Harrison Bryant was traded away in a package that sent a draft pick swap to Houston for John Metchie III, a move that reshapes depth at the position. A.J. Dillon was not featured on offense, underscoring how the staff is prioritizing depth players in August while still keeping a close eye on the rest of the roster. The team listed several players as inactive or not yet cleared for practice, signaling continued evaluation ahead of the final dress rehearsal.

This game reads as a championship of depth over star power. The QB3 competition is getting real play time, with McCord taking the bulk of the snaps and other candidates like DTR getting a shorter look. The coaching staff is testing versatility on the interior line, a sign that Week 1 plans will rely on flexible backups who can slide around as needed. On defense, the mix of veterans and rookies suggests the staff is weighing immediate readiness against long-term development. Special teams emerge as a critical proving ground, where roster spots can be won with performance in returns and coverage. The Harrison Bryant trade tightens TE depth for the moment, but the move creates a vacancy that young players must fill in practice and the next game. Overall, August football is about mapping a roster that can survive injuries and still compete, not about winning in the final score. Yet small samples can mislead, so observers should watch trends across multiple August games before drawing firm conclusions.

Highlights

The depth map will keep shifting as August games accumulate, revealing the true roster skeleton.