Tanner McKee’s standing with the Philadelphia Eagles has taken a noticeable hit this summer, a sharp reversal from the optimism that once surrounded the young quarterback.
Two seasons ago, few would have predicted that the team would enter a new campaign with questions about his role as Jalen Hurts’ primary backup.
McKee had shown enough promise to generate genuine excitement, and for a stretch it appeared the only realistic way he might leave Philadelphia was through a trade to a team seeking a developmental option or temporary starter.
That trade interest was real. Across the league, McKee’s combination of size, arm talent, and brief flashes of competence made him a frequently mentioned name in offseason speculation.
Teams looking to upgrade their backup depth or secure a low-cost prospect with upside saw value in the Stanford product. His strong two-game stretch in 2024, including one start in which he completed 30 of 45 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, only fueled that talk.
For a time, the Eagles seemed content with him as the clear No. 2, and outsiders viewed him as a potentially movable asset if the right offer arrived.
The picture looks different now. The Eagles acquired veteran Andy Dalton during the offseason, bringing in a former Pro Bowler whose best years are behind him but whose experience and reliability still carry weight.
During OTAs and minicamp, Dalton consistently received more second-team repetitions than McKee. Training camp has only reinforced the trend. Reports indicate Dalton has outplayed the younger quarterback so far, prompting some observers to revise earlier assumptions that McKee was the superior option.
McKee’s limited regular-season opportunities after 2024 did little to help. In four appearances the following year he completed 24 of 43 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
That modest sample, combined with uneven work this summer, has left his stock at a low point. What once looked like a secure backup role now carries the real possibility that he could slip to third on the depth chart or even face roster uncertainty.
There is still time for McKee to reverse the narrative. Preseason games remain, and a strong showing could restore confidence both inside the organization and among teams that once inquired about him. Yet the current trajectory is clear.
A player who not long ago ranked among the more intriguing trade candidates in the league finds himself fighting just to hold his place in Philadelphia, his value diminished by a combination of competition, inconsistent results, and the simple passage of time.
