Trade Pitch Sends ‘Critical’ Eagles Backup QB to AFC South

In just under 2 games last season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee did the one thing NFL general managers value more than anything else in this world. He turned himself from a non-asset to an asset.

McKee’s play in the final 2 regular season games for the Eagles — including a win in his lone start — showed he has the chops to be a viable backup quarterback on an NFL team for a long time, if not a starter.

With another serviceable backup quarterback already on the roster with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Eagles might want to strike while the iron is hot and see what McKee’s value in the trade market is. Specifically, what they might get back in return from the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans seem wide open to a trade for a quarterback right now after the team announced former starter and presumed backup Will Levis is out for the season after shoulder surgery. That leaves the Titans with 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward as the starter — which he was probably going to be anyway — and a bunch of horrendous options behind him.

If the Eagles can get the Titans to send them back a fourth round pick or even a third round pick for McKee, that’s a deal general manager Howie Roseman probably couldn’t turn down.

Eagles May Have Already Fielded Offers for McKee

It speaks to the work McKee has done in the last 2 years that he might be more critical for the Eagles in 2025 as the backup to reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts that a trade might not even be on the table until after the season.

From Bleeding Green Nation: “Now, if McKee plays well in the preseason, (general manager) Howie Roseman is going to get trade offers for McKee. He probably already has. And if someone offers a 1st-round pick you take it. You just do. But I wouldn’t expect that to happen. A 3rd-round pick, no way. Not enough. The question is would you take a 2nd-rounder for McKee, and I would really be reluctant … There’s no doubt in my mind McKee can be a plus NFL starter, and he’ll probably get that opportunity if he hits free agency after the 2026 season. But right now, the Eagles need him more than they need more picks.”

Philly Drafted Another Quarterback in 2025

Roseman’s long term plan for making sure Hurts has a viable backup includes planning for McKee’s eventual exit — the Eagles selected Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Whether McKee leaves via trade or free agency, it’s obvious McCord is the one who will take over as the primary backup for Hurts in the near future.

“McCord will likely start out competing for the No. 3 role with (Dorian) Thompson-Robinson, who arrived in a trade with the Browns in March,” ESPN’s Tim McManus wrote on May 15. “McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford, has maximized his limited opportunities and earned the No. 2 role behind Hurts. McCord will have a chance to develop behind the scenes as part of a quality QB room.”