Eagles' third-string QB could hold key to NFC East title

He’d win just three more games in his college career, but Philadelphia liked what it saw in McKee. At 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, he’s five inches taller than Hurts and has three inches and 11 pounds on Pickett.

McKee outplayed former backup Marcus Mariota in the 2023 preseason and went 34-of-56 passing for 294 yards this preseason. He failed to throw a touchdown but had an interception, one lost fumble and a sack. 

Modest numbers at best, but Eagles fans were calling for McKee after watching Pickett go 11-of-13 for 67 yards while taking four sacks in the team’s second preseason game, something head coach Nick Sirianni immediately put to rest.

"You saw where they went in today. Kenny is No. 2 and Tanner is our No. 3, and I am really happy they're both on the roster," Sirianni told reporters. “I really feel like with Tanner and Kenny that we have guys that a lot of teams would like to have.”

He went on to say that he hoped neither would have to play this season, but that idea went out the window once Hurts took this hit from Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu:

With Hurts officially ruled out for this week’s game, Pickett will start against the Cowboys after logging just one full practice between two limited sessions. He was clearly hurting throughout last week’s 36-33 loss to Washington and, at one point, McKee appeared ready to enter the game.

He didn't, of course, but if Pickett were to take another shot like this from a Cowboys defender, McKee will have to play, something the second-year quarterback says he’s ready to do.

“Absolutely,” McKee told reporters. “I think just being around the guys, being around the system. I do feel a lot more confident with the system and the NFL as a whole, how to read defenses just from last year to this year, having another year under my belt. So if I do get the opportunity, I’m excited to show that.”

A win on Sunday would give Philadelphia its 13th NFC East championship in franchise history and first since 2022, when the Eagles represented the NFC in Super Bowl LVII. Per ESPN, the team currently has the fourth-best odds (+500) to win Super Bowl LIX whether McKee plays or not.