PHI Tanner McKee
NFL quarterback. Position: QB. Team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Height/Weight: 6-6, 231 lbs
- College: Stanford
- Age: 26 (took LDS mission in college)
2026 Outlook
Oct 15 — Gets start for Week 6 with Hurts out: With Jalen Hurts ruled out for Week 6 due to a superficial blood clot, Tanner McKee gets his chance to start against Carolina. This is a significant opportunity for McKee, who has played six career games since being drafted in 2023. His performance will determine whether he stays in the Eagles system or becomes tradeable before the deadline. (per Eagles QB Jalen Hurts ruled out for Week 6 after blood clot found in his leg - Yahoo Sports)
Backup QB competing in crowded Philadelphia quarterback room. McKee has thrown for 597 career yards with the Eagles, including 510 yards across two starts where he showed command under offense coordinator Kellen Moore in 2025. At 6-6 with prototypical QB size, he has drawn interest from other teams as a potential starter. However, the Eagles acquired Andy Dalton before the 2026 draft and selected Cole Payton in the 6th round out of North Dakota State, leaving McKee's depth chart status unclear heading into July. Scouts expect him to be traded before Week 1, potentially fetching a mid-round pick if another team suffers a starting QB injury—or more if a bidding war develops (per 3 sneaky trade candidates for Eagles entering 2026 season).
In preseason, McKee is competing directly with Dalton for the No. 2 role. As the organizational veteran, McKee understands the Eagles' personnel and system but must prove consistency in game management. His size and arm strength give him options attacking intermediate and deep routes, but the competition remains tight heading into Week 1 (per Eagles backup quarterback battle moves into preseason spotlight).
Against New England (Aug 23), McKee showed more consistency than Dalton, going 10-for-13 for 105 yards and a TD across three drives, including a strong second-half performance. He led an effective drive down to the Patriots 9-yard line, then connected with Britain Covey for a 14-yard TD. His combination of accuracy and efficiency suggests he's narrowing the gap in the backup competition. (per Eagles vs. Patriots backup QB battle).
However, in the preseason finale against Cincinnati, McKee struggled significantly, completing just 12-of-22 passes for 55 yards. Andy Dalton performed better in the same game, though neither backup impressed HC Nick Sirianni, who noted both quarterbacks bring value to the room (per Eagles news: Nick Sirianni believes QB2 battle is in 'good spot' amid preseason shakiness).
The competition was decided in Week 4. After Dalton threw an interception to rookie safety Dillon Thieneman in Week 3 vs. Chicago, the Eagles elevated McKee ahead of Dalton on the depth chart for the Week 4 game against the Rams. Then, in early October, the Eagles released Dalton entirely, making McKee the unquestioned backup QB and leaving Cole Payton as the tertiary option (per Former Panthers QB Andy Dalton Gets Unfortunate NFL News With Eagles).
Role / Depth Chart
Week 6 starter following Hurts injury (Oct 15): Elevated to starting QB for Week 6 vs. Panthers after Jalen Hurts was ruled out due to a superficial blood clot. McKee enters with limited recent game experience but has the Eagles' offensive playbook down and understands Mannion's scheme from training camp (per Eagles QB Jalen Hurts out Sunday vs. Panthers due to superficial blood clot). Otherwise, McKee serves as backup QB; Eagles have Cole Payton as tertiary option.
Open Questions
- Will Tanner McKee be traded before Week 1, and if so, to which team? Status: open Last touched: 2026-07-16
Recent News
- 2026-10-15 — Who is Tanner McKee? Eagles QB gets biggest opportunity yet with Jalen Hurts sidelined (Who is Tanner McKee? Eagles QB gets biggest opportunity yet with Jalen Hurts sidelined)
- 2026-10-15 — Tanner McKee set for the first meaningful start of his NFL career with Jalen Hurts out (Tanner McKee set for the first meaningful start of his NFL career with Jalen Hurts out)
- 2026-08-23 — Roob's Instant Observations: McKee outplays Dalton in Eagles' preseason loss (Roob's Instant Observations: McKee outplays Dalton in Eagles' preseason loss)
- 2026-07-17 — Eagles offseason review, Part 2: Should they re-sign Brandon Graham, trade Tanner... (Eagles offseason review, Part 2: Should they re-sign Brandon Graham, trade Tanner...)
- 2026-07-16 — 3 sneaky trade candidates for Eagles entering 2026 season (3 sneaky trade candidates for Eagles entering 2026 season)