Should Tanner McKee be the Eagles’ backup QB for the playoffs? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles are obviously hoping to have Jalen Hurts back and fully healthy for their playoff run.
But who should be his replacement?
Hurts is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but even though he is set to face the Packers in the wild card round on Sunday, the Eagles still have a decision to make. Will it be Kenny Pickett or Tanner McKee as replacement?
Pickett and McKee have done a good job when called up recently, but it’s probably fair to say that McKee has outperformed the former first-round pick. And with Pickett still dealing with a rib injury that kept him out of practice last week, this would potentially be the perfect time to make the change.
When asked Monday if he had considered switching the two on the depth chart, head coach Nick Sirianni sidestepped the question.
“I have a lot of confidence in both guys,” Sirianni said. “I think when Kenny had to play, he played very well. When Tanner had to play, he played very well. We have a very good room. Obviously, Jalen had an exceptional season. So we just have one big room.
“Credit to Howie (Roseman) and his team for getting these guys here and then it’s a great job by these guys taking advantage of their opportunities. And great work from Kellen (Moore), Kevin (Patullo), Doug (Nussmeier) helping these guys develop. We feel really good in the room we are in.
Although Sirianni is generally tight-lipped about almost everything these days, he had the opportunity to deny any speculation about a change at the backup QB position and didn’t take it.
On the one hand, the Eagles traded for Pickett before the season because they clearly valued having a backup quarterback with significant NFL experience under his belt. But on the other hand, it’s hard to ignore how well McKee has played over the past two weeks and how well he’s played in training camp.
The other thing is Pickett’s injury. So it’s not just about McKee versus Pickett. It’s a healthy McKee versus a banged-up Pickett.
Because Sirianni was so quiet on Monday, we may not know what the depth chart says until the inactives come out Sunday at 3 p.m.
For the first 15 games of the season, Hurts was the starter, Pickett was the backup, and McKee was the third player, inactive as an emergency QB on game days. Pickett had to come into the Commanders game a few weeks ago, broke a few ribs but fought through, but the Eagles lost their first game since the bye week.
Against the Cowboys, Pickett played well until he was knocked out of the game, then McKee played even better in relief as the Eagles pulled out a win. And in Week 18, playing with a group of backups, McKee still managed to run the offense effectively and move the football in a victory.
Here’s a look at their numbers this season:
Pickett: 25/42 (59.5%), 291 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 86.5 rating
McKee: 30/45 (66.7%), 323 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 117.2 rating
McKee’s passer rating of 117.2 is third-highest in the NFL this season among QBs with at least 45 attempts, behind Malik Willis and Lamar Jackson.
Even though Week 18 didn’t matter for playoff seeding, it was another opportunity for McKee to prove himself at the NFL level and he turned in another solid performance.
“I thought he totally controlled the game today,” Sirianni said on Sunday. “Make good decisions. I felt like he got to his control multiple times, it was really impressive, to Will Shipley multiple times. Truly impressive. I had a few good quarters in the last match, then a good match today. Every chance he gets in training, he does a really good job. We are excited about Tanner and the player he is.
“I love our quarterback room, obviously starting with Jalen (Hurts) and all the great things Jalen has done this year to help us get to where we are right now. Kenny (Pickett) had some really good minutes and played a good game last week. Played a good game against Washington. Then Tanner did what he did today and at the end of the week in Dallas last week. I love this piece.
Even if the Eagles don’t make the backup QB change this playoffs, McKee’s performance makes you wonder what will happen this offseason. Maybe the Eagles could trade one of their backups. And if Pickett brings back a decent pick, the Eagles should be comfortable with McKee as their 2025 backup.
Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Single broadcast | RSS | Watch on YouTube
