Philadelphia Eagles fans are gearing up for a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders, which holds significant playoff implications. Beyond the stakes of the game, there’s an added layer of intrigue as one backup player may be playing his final game in Philadelphia.
As the Eagles strive for a better playoff position with the potential for the number-two seed, head coach Nick Sirianni plans a more cautious approach, opting to rest some starters. This decision means that many backups will get the chance to showcase their talents, with backup quarterback Tanner McKee drawing particular attention.
McKee, thrust into the starting role in place of Jalen Hurts, has an opportunity to impact both his and the Eagles’ future. Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Stanford, McKee was expected to merely serve as a backup. However, his performances in 2024 have reshaped that narrative, revealing a promising future.
Last season, McKee made a name for himself when he stepped in during injuries to Hurts and Kenny Pickett. He led the Eagles to a victory against the Dallas Cowboys, throwing two touchdowns in the second half, and later secured a win against the New York Giants with another two-score performance. Over the span of those two games, McKee completed 66.7% of his passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns without any interceptions, impressing Eagles general manager Howie Roseman enough to trade Pickett to the Cleveland Browns, securing McKee’s backup position.
Although McKee began the current season sidelined with a finger injury, he has appeared in three games, completing all three of his passes for 33 yards, mainly during a commanding 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
This Week 18 game is monumental for McKee. Should he replicate his earlier success against the Giants, it’s likely that several teams will show interest in acquiring his services from Roseman, which could position the Eagles favorably in terms of trade or draft opportunities.
Eagles fans are hopeful for McKee’s success, aware that this may be one of the last chances they have to see him play in an Eagles uniform. The team and its supporters are eager to see how this game could shape the future both for McKee and the franchise.