The Philadelphia Eagles are considering the future of quarterback Tanner McKee, who has shown impressive potential during offseason activities. With Howie Roseman as the team‘s general manager, many wonder what it would take for the Eagles to trade McKee, given his status as the strong backup behind starter Jalen Hurts. While the Eagles have already fielded some trade inquiries, the question remains: what kind of compensation might prompt Roseman to part ways with McKee?
At the recent media-accessible OTA (organized team activity), McKee demonstrated remarkable deep-throw accuracy, firing impressive passes to receivers like Danny Gray, Terrace Marshall, and Darius Cooper. Although it was an early session with many veterans absent, McKee’s performance solidified his role as the clear second-string quarterback for the team.
Why McKee Is a Valuable Asset for the Eagles Beyond Draft Capital
McKee’s ability to execute deep throws with precision and quick decision-making makes him a rare commodity as a backup quarterback. His development through the previous season, including appearances against the Cowboys and Giants, has given analysts confidence that he could step up in meaningful games if needed. The team’s management faces a tough decision if trade offers for McKee emerge, especially regarding draft picks.
If an offer comes in for a first-round draft pick, it is widely viewed as prudent for the Eagles to accept it; first-round picks carry significant future value. However, offers below that—such as a third-round pick—are unlikely to sway decision-makers. The crux lies in whether a second-round pick is sufficient. Given the Eagles’ history of finding foundational talent in the second round, including star players like Brian Dawkins, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Randall Cunningham, and Hurts himself, this kind of draft choice is too valuable to risk.
Moreover, the Eagles’ need for a reliable reserve quarterback looms large. Alternatives such as veterans Joe Flacco or Marcus Mariota could fill the role, but their reliability to maintain the team’s competitive edge if Hurts were sidelined remains doubtful. Younger options like Kyle McCord might emerge in the coming years, but they are not immediate answers. Dorian Thompson-Robinson does not appear ready to take on that responsibility. With McKee projected as a potential starting NFL quarterback outside the Eagles by 2026, retaining him is a priority until then.
Addressing the Bryce Huff Free Agency Fallout
In contrast to McKee’s promising outlook, Bryce Huff’s free agency signing has been a disappointment for the Eagles. The team committed $17.25 million for Huff’s services last season, yet he produced only 2.5 sacks over 285 snaps in 12 games, making him the second-highest one-year paid player in Eagles history behind Sam Bradford.
The Eagles’ biggest misstep was attempting to convert Huff into a full-time, every-down edge rusher. Despite his hefty three-year, $51 million contract, Huff failed to adapt to a role beyond third-down specialist. According to head coach Vic Fangio’s assessment in August, Huff was not ready to carry the workload:
Does he look like he can do it today? No.
I do think eventually he will.
—Vic Fangio, Head Coach
Yet, orchestrating that transition never materialized. The Eagles now face the rare situation of cutting losses on a highly paid free agent without prolonged suffering from the mistake. General manager Howie Roseman’s position allows him to acknowledge and move on from this error—a luxury not many GMs enjoy. This situation underscores the strength the Eagles hold in overall roster depth and culture, which helped them overcome such setbacks en route to a Super Bowl victory.
Defensive Adjustments and Player Roles Trending Toward Versatility
Cornerback responsibilities are also in flux, particularly following the departures of Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, and Avonte Maddox. Cooper DeJean has emerged as a versatile talent, alternating between outside cornerback and slot roles during recent workouts. Although one practice is a small sample, his adaptability matches head coach Vic Fangio’s approach to defensive flexibility. Once DeJean supplanted Maddox in Week 6 last season, he became a near-constant presence on the defensive field, participating in 84 percent of the defensive snaps.
This versatility makes it desirable for the Eagles to maximize DeJean’s playing time over other options like Kelee Ringo or Adoree’ Jackson, who currently share reps. While Ringo is favored to win the CB2 job and is expected to contribute solidly, DeJean’s ability to stay on the field more consistently gives the Eagles a distinct advantage. The team prefers not to have DeJean leave the game during crucial moments.
Wide Receiver Competition Highlights Terrace Marshall’s Opportunity
At wide receiver, Terrace Marshall is attracting attention as a potential contributor for depth behind starters like Jahan Dotson. A second-round pick by the Panthers in 2021, Marshall is only 24 years old with the size and skills to make an impact at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. Despite underwhelming production over four years, including stints with the Panthers and Raiders, early camp glimpses suggest he could compete for the crucial fourth receiver spot.
Alongside Marshall, younger late-round rookies like Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith remain on the roster and are expected to receive extended looks during training camp. Marshall’s chance mirrors other players once highly drafted who have had resurgence opportunities, similar to John Ross and Parris Campbell. The Eagles appear willing to explore the upside without significant risk.
The Edge Rusher Depth Chart and Azeez Ojulari’s Role
With Bryce Huff’s departure, the path clears for Azeez Ojulari to emerge as the next edge rusher behind starters Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Ojulari has demonstrated production when healthy but has struggled with injuries throughout his career. For context, Ojulari registered 22 sacks over 46 games with the New York Giants, averaging nearly half a sack per game. This rate compares favorably to Josh Sweat, who secured a lucrative contract despite a slightly lower sack average but with more consistent availability.
Ojulari’s one-year deal with the Eagles pays $3 million, positioning him as the third edge rusher expected to play a manageable snap count. Limiting his workload to about 20-25 snaps per game might help preserve his health and allow him to contribute effectively. Last season, Ojulari tallied six sacks, ten QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and ten pressures over eleven games. With projected sack numbers of 12 for Smith and 8 for Hunt, Ojulari could serve as an ideal complementary piece on the pass rush.
Other possible contributors include Josh Uche, known for an 11.5 sack season in 2022 but with diminished recent production; Antwaun Powell-Ryland, a college standout who led the BCS with 25.5 sacks over two years; and Jihaad Campbell, who may primarily play inside linebacker once healthy. Among these, Ojulari remains the best bet to stabilize the edge depth chart in the short term.
Offensive Line Developments and Guard Competition
Questions surrounding the starting right guard position for the upcoming season have been addressed indirectly by Eagles assistant coach Kevin Patullo, who hinted that the projected lineup remains largely intact except for the departure of Mekhi Becton. Among contenders to fill Becton’s spot, Tyler Steen stands out as the frontrunner.
During recent practice sessions, Steen worked with the first-team offensive line at right guard, while Kenyon Green served as his backup. Matt Pryor, who started 15 games at right guard for the Chicago Bears last year, occupies the starting left guard spot. Green, who played left guard previously, is backing up on both guard positions. Although there are mixed opinions on Green’s ceiling, Pryor’s experience and a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.9 (compared to Steen’s 40.7) position him as a credible challenger. However, Steen’s starting role appears secure barring unforeseen circumstances and remains his to lose.
Historic Running Back Performances in the Postseason
The Eagles’ rich running back legacy is highlighted by rare postseason performances involving over 100 rushing yards and averages exceeding seven yards per carry in consecutive games. Only a few players, including Brian Westbrook and Saquon Barkley, have achieved this feat. Westbrook accomplished it during the 2006 playoffs, with 141 yards on 20 carries (7.1 average) and 116 yards on 13 carries (8.9 average) in back-to-back games. Barkley replicated similar success last season against the Rams (210 yards on 26 rushes) and Washington (118 yards on 15 rushes).
Marcus Allen is another historical figure with two such games in a single postseason in 1983, separated by an additional strong performance. Across NFL history, only a handful have recorded multiple 100-yard, 7.0-plus average postseason performances, such as Lamar Jackson, Marion Motley, Colin Kaepernick, and Todd Gurley.
Within the Eagles organization, aside from Westbrook, players like Wilbert Montgomery, Donovan McNabb, and Kenny Gainwell have posted at least one postseason game meeting these criteria, cementing the franchise’s tradition of impactful rushing performances in critical moments.
One of the Eagles’ Most Remarkable Trades in Franchise History
A storied example from the Eagles’ past demonstrates the team‘s ability to identify hidden value in the draft and trades. In 1942, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ernie Steele in the 10th round but traded him to Philadelphia in exchange for halfback George Bruney. Steele went on to enjoy seven productive seasons with the Eagles, including a role on the team that won the 1948 NFL Championship.
During his time with the Eagles, Steele accumulated 1,857 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns on offense, along with an astonishing 24 interceptions on defense. This dual-threat feat is rare in NFL history, shared only by Hall of Famer Bill Dudley and 1940 first-round pick George McAfee, who, notably, never played for the Eagles.
Meanwhile, George Bruney, the player traded for Steele, never appeared in an NFL game, and scarce information exists about him beyond that transaction. This trade remains a quintessential example of the Eagles’ knack for uncovering impactful talent through savvy roster moves.
Summary: McKee’s Place in the Eagles’ Championship Window and Roster Strategy
Ultimately, assessing what it would take to trade Tanner McKee reveals a layered decision-making process tied to balancing the present and future roster needs. McKee’s burgeoning skill set, particularly his deep passing ability and quarterback intelligence, make him a non-negotiable asset for the Eagles’ pursuit of sustained success. While a first-round pick offer might compel Howie Roseman to consider a trade, lesser offers fall short of McKee’s perceived value.
The Eagles’ front office is navigating a robust roster filled with strong players at various positions, from edge rushers to defensive backs and offensive linemen, allowing them to cut ties with underperforming veterans like Bryce Huff without jeopardizing their competitiveness. This culture of adaptability and depth, combined with an eye for historic talent evaluation and development, positions the franchise to remain a contender in the near future.
As the Eagles finalize roster and line-up decisions heading into training camp and the preseason, fans and analysts alike will closely watch how the quarterback situation evolves. While McKee’s trade value is under evaluation, his presence provides essential insurance for a team with clear Super Bowl aspirations, ensuring the Eagles remain prepared for any contingency at the most crucial position on the field.