Eagles May Have Found the Perfect Backup Without Anyone Noticing

Philadelphia, PA – June 12, 2025

While most of the spotlight this offseason has hovered over Jalen Hurts and Philly’s offensive firepower, there’s a quiet revolution brewing just behind the starter. Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ unassuming second-year quarterback, is starting to look like the perfect backup — and almost nobody saw it coming.

After riding the bench for most of 2024, McKee was thrust into action late in the season when injuries hit the quarterback room. What followed was a display of calm, precision, and command that turned heads inside the building. In limited action, he completed 66.7% of his passes for 323 yards, 4 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. For a sixth-round pick in 2023, that’s not just promising — it’s elite efficiency.

“He doesn’t get rattled. He just processes the game like a vet,” one assistant coach told PhillyVoice. “Tanner understands where the ball needs to go — and he gets it there fast.”

CBS Sports recently ranked McKee among the Top 5 backup quarterbacks in the NFL, while Sports Illustrated acknowledged his upside despite minimal playing time. Analysts praise his frame (6'6", 231 lbs), calm pocket presence, and deep-ball accuracy. The Eagles have quietly developed him into a weapon most teams wish they had waiting on the sidelines.

With Kenny Pickett no longer in the picture and no new veteran signed, the Eagles are making a statement by standing pat: Tanner McKee is QB2 — and they like it that way.

“We believe in development,” said head coach Nick Sirianni. “Tanner’s been learning from Jalen, taking every rep seriously, and earning our trust every step of the way.”

In a league where one hit can change a season, having a poised, prepared backup is no luxury — it’s a necessity. And while McKee might not be trending on social media or lighting up headlines, the Eagles know what they have.

He’s not a superstar. He doesn’t need to be. But if the moment ever comes, Tanner McKee looks ready to keep Philly flying.