The Philadelphia Eagles have been making moves at quarterback with Jalen Hurts getting two new backups during the offseason. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is joined in Philadelphia by the team’s 2025 sixth-round pick, Kyle McCord. Kenny Pickett was traded to the Cleveland Browns in a move that sent Thompson-Robinson the other way, while 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee remains with the team.
That could soon change, though, with Philadelphia likely to only want three quarterbacks on the roster come September. That the Eagles drafted McCord with three quarterbacks already on the team could spell the end for McKee, but where could he end up if the team decides to trade him?
Three Potential Trade Destinations for Tanner McKee
McKee has seen limited opportunities since being drafted in 2023. The former Stanford quarterback had to wait until Week 17 of the 2024 season for his first NFL snap under center. Not waiting around, McKee threw two for touchdowns in that game against the Dallas Cowboys, despite only throwing the ball four times.
McKee followed that up with a start in Week 18 against the New York Giants, leading his team to a comfortable victory with two further touchdown passes. McKee’s impressive, if brief, cameo for the Eagles should see him attract interest if available in a trade. While he can only hope for another backup role in 2025, here are three potential trade destinations for the 6’6″ signal caller.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former Minnesota Vikings backup Nick Mullens in free agency after Mac Jones left for the San Francisco 49ers. Jones was called into significant action for Jacksonville last year, after Trevor Lawrence was sidelined after a horrific collision with Azeez Al-Shaair in Week 13.
Lawrence had missed both of the previous games with a shoulder injury, and it was decided, after the hit, that Lawrence would be shut down for the year to undergo surgery. Lawrence has been upbeat about his chances of being ready by September, but the importance of a capable backup won’t be overlooked in Jacksonville.
Mullens last started a game in 2023 and has lost all four of his starts since 2021. Beyond Mullens, John Wolford hasn’t played a snap under center since 2022; that year, he threw for one touchdown and three interceptions and fumbled three times in just two games.
McKee isn’t a signing that would necessarily excite fans, but could immediately prove a better option than what the Jaguars currently have available behind Lawrence.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made an eye-catching move to trade for Geno Smith this offseason, reuniting the quarterback with his former coach, Pete Carroll. The Raiders also have former starter Aidan O’Connell and 2025 sixth-round pick Cam Miller on the roster.
While O’Connell has more starting experience than McKee, the 2023 fourth-round pick struggled to beat out the likes of Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder last year. Miller, on the other hand, is an interesting pickup out of North Dakota State, but will need to prove himself in camp.
If the Raiders feel that they’ve seen all that O’Connell has to offer, or if Miller fails to impress in camp, McKee could make an interesting addition to the Raiders’ quarterback room. O’Connell could also be on the radar of the New Orleans Saints, who may want competition for Tyler Shough, following Derek Carr’s retirement.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are well-stocked at quarterback after their eyebrow-raising approach to the position in 2024. Despite the team investing significantly in both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., it’s widely expected that Cousins could be on the move just a year later. Along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who still need a starting quarterback, the Cleveland Browns and the Saints remain possibilities for the veteran.
If Cousins moves on, McKee could compete with Easton Stick for the backup role behind Penix, at little cost to the team. McKee will be keen to prove that his brief success in Eagles colors was a true reflection of his abilities at the NFL level. He could get a shot to prove exactly that in Atlanta, given Penix’s worrying injury history.
