In a shocking and decisive move, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time reshaping their quarterback room, sending ripples through the NFL and leaving fans reeling. Just hours after acquiring Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings in a blockbuster trade, the Eagles unceremoniously waived Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move underscores Philly’s relentless pursuit of a reliable backup for their star-studded roster as they gear up for a high-stakes season.
Thompson-Robinson, a 25-year-old former fifth-round pick out of UCLA, was thrust into the spotlight during the Eagles’ first two preseason games. His performance, however, failed to inspire confidence, as he completed just 10 of 16 passes for a modest 73 yards, with no touchdowns and a costly interception. The Eagles made it clear they weren’t sold on his potential, opting to sit him out of their preseason finale against the New York Jets in favor of rookie Kyle McCord. It was a telling sign that Thompson-Robinson’s days in green were numbered.
The Eagles’ quarterback shuffle began back in March when they shipped backup Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns, netting Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick in return. At the time, it seemed like a low-risk gamble on a young player with untapped potential. Drafted by the Browns in 2023, Thompson-Robinson is in the third year of a four-year, $4.2 million rookie contract. In 2024, he appeared in seven games for Cleveland, starting two, but struggled mightily, completing just 51.7% of his passes (61 of 118) for 440 yards, with no touchdowns and a staggering six interceptions. His 122 rushing yards on 21 carries showed flashes of athleticism, but it wasn’t enough to secure his spot in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ decision to cut Thompson-Robinson comes as they face uncertainty with their No. 2 quarterback, Tanner McKee, who is nursing a fractured thumb and may not be ready for their Week 1 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. With McKee’s availability in question, Philadelphia moved swiftly to bring in Howell, a proven veteran who offers more experience and reliability than either Thompson-Robinson or the untested McCord. The message was clear: the Eagles are all-in for 2025, and they’re not taking chances on unproven talent.
As the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline looms—Tuesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. ET—the Eagles are poised to finalize their 53-man roster. With Howell now in the fold as a dependable backup, the team is likely to part ways with McCord, though they may attempt to bring the rookie back to their practice squad for further development. The move to jettison Thompson-Robinson, however, has sparked heated debate among fans, with some praising the Eagles’ ruthless efficiency and others stunned by the cold-blooded decision to cut ties with a player they traded for just months ago.