The Eagles may have a backup quarterback situation that quietly gives them real cover behind Jalen Hurts.
Hurts is still Philadelphia’s QB1, despite the noise around him this offseason. The former Super Bowl MVP is expected to lead the team again as the Eagles chase a return to the top, and he’ll do it with several new weapons around him.
But the deeper story in Philadelphia is what sits behind him. Tanner McKee has earned a reputation as one of the better No. 2 quarterbacks in the league, and Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently placed the Eagles’ backup quarterback setup ninth among 16 Super Bowl contenders. With veteran Andy Dalton in the mix, the Eagles have built themselves a legitimate safety net if Hurts ever has to miss time.
McKee’s lone start in 2025 didn’t do much to boost the stat line. In a Week 18 loss to the Josh Johnson-led Washington Commanders, he completed 52.5% of his passes and finished with one touchdown and one interception. But that outing sits alongside a much stronger showing from his only start in the 2024 season, when he completed 65.9% of his throws for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The appeal is easy to see. At 6'6", McKee has the kind of frame NFL teams love, plus a strong arm and the ability to work all areas of the field. The 2023 sixth-round pick may not project as a starter, but he looks like the kind of backup teams feel better about than most.
That’s part of why he drew significant trade interest this offseason. The Eagles have been reluctant to move him, but his name still hangs over a crowded quarterback room. Charles North of Stadium Rant even said McKee is "almost a lock to be traded by week one."
Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton suggested that if Philadelphia does deal McKee, a sixth-round pick could be the return. That would be a reasonable price if Dalton ends up taking the second-string job in camp.
For now, Dalton and rookie Cole Payton are also in the mix behind McKee as they battle for roster spots. However it shakes out, the Eagles have assembled one of the stronger quarterback depth charts in football.
The hope in Philadelphia is simple: none of it has to matter. Hurts staying healthy is the key to another deep playoff run, but if something does happen, the Eagles have backup options ready.
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Philadelphia does not have to settle the issue immediately, but it does have to decide how much room it wants to devote to the quarterback room. The Eagles could carry four passers into the season, or they could use the preseason to sort out whether a trade makes more sense, especially if the competition between McKee and Dalton stays tight while Payton tries to carve out a role of his own. [Read more 🡒]
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The challenge is that not every good young player can stay in Philadelphia forever, especially once the cap starts forcing choices. Mitchell already looks like the kind of corner who can change the market, Smith is stepping into a bigger role, and Steen has been handed a clear runway at right guard, while others like Ojomo may be pricing themselves into a different future altogether. For a team that wants to keep contending, camp is not just about sorting the depth chart. It is also a preview of which pieces this roster might not be able to survive losing. [Read more 🡒]