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McKee

New Jets OC Frank Reich “has a close relationship with Eagles coach Nick Sirianni” and McKee “fits the physical mold of a Reich QB” per Rosenblatt. Rosenblatt also links the Jets to Geno Smith (if released), Jacoby Brissett and Kirk Cousins. McKee would be an interesting trade target after a couple of spot starts in Week 18 the past few years. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026 and would probably cost the Jets at least a Day 2 pick, but it would undoubtedly be a higher-upside play than relying on Smith or Cousins.

Hurts still has three years left on the five-year, $255 million extension he signed in 2023, but according to Silver, “NFL sources familiar with the Eagles’ organizational mindset believe they might draft a quarterback this spring.” This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen the Eagles use a high-end draft pick to rug pull a franchise quarterback already on a lucrative deal. Back in 2020, the team shocked everyone when they used a second-round pick on Hurts to eventually serve as the replacemnent for Carson Wentz, who had just signed a four-year, $128 million contract extension in 2019. Hurts and the Eagles struggled mightily on offense. The switch from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to Kevin Patullo didn’t go as planned, and the team has already moved to improve on their play-calling situation next season by removing Patullo from that role. It would still be surprising to see the Eagles move on from Hurts after one down season after he lead the team to a Super Bowl title in 2024, but given the Eagles’ history of how they manage the quarterback position, this will remain something to watch leading up to draft day.

McKee put together a middling performance playing with the Eagles’ reserve squad. The Eagles were playing for the No. 2 seed in the NFC and battled to the end against the eliminated Commanders, dropping a one-score game and clinching the No. 3 seed. McKee made his second career start with Philadelphia resting its starters ahead of the playoffs. He threw a 15-yard touchdown to Grant Calcaterra in the second quarter to open scoring but an interception at the goal line later in the quarter would haunt him. He struggled with inaccuracy in the fourth quarter when driving to tie or lead the game, ultimately sailing a fourth down pass out of bounds to end it. McKee has been a rumored trade target at times over the past offseason, but if he does stay put in Philadelphia, he’ll merely be Jalen Hurts’ backup in 2026.

McKee threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns in Philadelphia’s Week 18 win over the Giants at the end of the 2024 season. We’d expect similar numbers against the Commanders in a game that will have a preseason feel. McKee is probably a startable QB2 play in superflex leagues, in a game that may be an audition as trade bait this offseason as there sure seems to be plenty of empty starting roles as compared to the number of rookie quarterbacks available to fill them.

The Eagles could climb as high as the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a victory and a Lions win over Chicago, and Garafolo believes they could beat Washington with some of their key starters resting for the postseason. That could include Jalen Hurts, which would mean Tanner McKee could see significant playing time against a Commanders defense being bludgeoned by opposing QBs. If Saquon Barkley sits, Tank Bigsby — who has been ultra efficient as an Eagle — could see a full workload against the Swiss cheese Washington run defense. It’s a situation to monitor for fantasy managers playing in Week 18 championships.

Shipley should resume No. 2 running back duties and can be stashed as a high-upside player in re-draft formats. Stud RT Lane Johnson (stinger) practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. The Eagles lost star OLB Nolan Smith (triceps) to injured reserve earlier this week. He will be eligible to return after missing four games. They got good news on LB Zack Baun (knee), LB Jihaad Campbell (triceps) and backup QB Tanner McKee (right thumb), though. All three are good to go. Unfortunately, CB Adoree’ Jackson (groin) is doubtful.

McKee will be the third QB for the tilt against Los Angeles, with Sam Howell operating as the backup to Jalen Hurts. Shipley is out with an oblique injury, paving the way for Tank Bigsby and A.J. Dillon — not necessarily in that order — to get the carries behind bellcow Saquon Barkley.

McKee had been set to be Jalen Hurts’ backup before breaking his throwing thumb late in training camp. No. 2 duties now belong to Sam Howell. Beyond that, this is a mercifully quiet early-season injury list for the defending-champion Eagles.

The fact that the Eagles traded for Sam Howell on Sunday is probably not coincidental. McKee’s status for Week 1 of the season is up in the air now due to the thumb injury. If McKee can’t go, Howell will all but certainly be the backup for that game against the Cowboys.

The assessment comes from one of the industry’s more reliable NFL beat writers, the Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski, who believes McKee “is going to get a shot as a starter in the NFL at some point.” McKee is a name to know for re-draft purposes, should Jalen Hurts miss time. Dynasty managers should consider adding him now.