The Philadelphia Eagles drafted former Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, being on the same roster as Jalen Hurts didn’t offer many (if any) playing opportunities last season. On Thursday night, McKee’s performance played a key role in the Eagles’ comeback victory over the New England Patriots in preseason action, as he completed 15 of 19 passes for 140 yards, leading Philadelphia to a 14-13 win.
Kenny Pickett, who went 11-for-13 for 67 yards, will remain the backup quarterback for Philadelphia. There have been questions about whether he might drop on the depth chart, but Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni recently confirmed that the depth chart hasn’t changed, with Pickett still at No. 2 and McKee as the third option.
Pickett was selected in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 Draft, going No. 20 overall. He has some NFL experience, having started 12 games in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Steelers. While his overall stats aren’t particularly impressive, with 13 career touchdowns and 13 interceptions, he holds a 14-10 record as an NFL starter and has led seven game-winning drives, six of which came in the fourth quarter.
Despite Pickett’s decent record and notable comeback victories, if the Eagles find themselves needing someone other than Hurts to step in, the decision on who takes the field could come down to who is best suited for that specific game or drive. Pickett brings experience, but McKee has shown potential and has made the most of his opportunities.
For now, McKee can look forward to his upcoming return trip to Brazil, where he spent 21 months between high school and college.
