Eagles Preseason Debut Reignites Trade Buzz for Young QB

Tanner McKee’s 2025 preseason debut couldn’t have gone much better. In the opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Eagles’ young quarterback looked every bit the part of a seasoned starter, completing 20 of 25 passes for 252 yards and three total touchdowns—two through the air and one on the ground via Philadelphia’s signature “Tush Push.”

The second-year signal-caller spread the ball around to seven different receivers and showed off his deep ball accuracy with a perfect strike to Darius Cooper for a big gain before halftime. It was the kind of performance that makes you double-check the box score to remember this guy was a sixth-round pick just two years ago.

He was 14-17 for 193 yards, with two TDs, no picks and a passer rating of 153.2 in the first-half. It was just one preseason game, but it seems clear McKee’s got the size, smarts, toughness and arm talent you want in an NFL quarterback.

It was also the kind of showing that adds fuel to any chatter about McKee’s value as a trade chip. Even before this offseason, some folks thought he’d be a trade candidate, pointing to his breakout performances late last season and his bargain rookie contract as big selling points.

Now, some analysts think general manager Howie Roseman’s phone is going to get a lot busier.

Tanner McKee’s Trade Value Keeps Going Up

“I guarantee you, Howie’s phone is going to be ringing,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank said after McKee’s performance against the Bengals. “He’s gonna get offers, and the price is going to keep going up and Howie’s not going to trade him, because when you’re trying to win a Super Bowl, you need that quality No. 2 quarterback more than you need the draft picks.”

“Is he a top-20 quarterback in this league? He just might be,” Frank added, before saying he wouldn’t trade McKee for a first-round pick. Franks’ colleague at NBC Sports, former NFL offensive lineman Barrett Brooks, agrees, noting the value of a backup with McKee’s skills.

“I think Tanner McKee might be a guy that you turn down a first-rounder,” Brooks admitted.

“It felt good. I felt like we were moving the ball, which is always fun,” McKee said after the win over Cincinnati, via the team’s official website. “Obviously, we’ll watch the film, you never really know until you watch film. You never really know until you watch film and you’re like, ‘Oh crap, I missed that,’ or whatever. But overall, moved the ball well. Had a lot of guys that made great plays. So, the feeling is good.”

McKee Has Been Incredibly Impressive in Nearly Every Outing

McKee’s NFL journey so far has been short, but it’s been memorable. Drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round in 2023, he didn’t see much action as a rookie. That changed in Week 17 of the 2024 season when he stepped in for an injured Kenny Pickett and promptly went 3-for-4 for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles rewarded him with a Week 18 start against the New York Giants, and he delivered again, throwing for 269 yards and two more scores without turning the ball over in a 20–13 win. In just those two games, McKee completed 66.7% of his passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns and a 117.2 passer rating, all while showing poise and moxie beyond his years.

He capped the season with a Super Bowl ring as part of Philly’s championship roster.

McKee is such a dependable backup that the Eagles might be better off keeping him—at least for now.