A couple of weeks after the Eagles fell disappointingly short of their efforts to retain their status as Super Bowl Champions, Zach Berman of The Athletic laid out the blueprint of an offseason plan for the way the team might work their way back to the top of the game. This plan included a little bit of shuffling within the roster depth on the quarterback position. Predictions of trading away QB2 Tanner McKee haven’t come to fruition, but McKee is seeing some competition to retain his responsibilities as the first backup to Jalen Hurts.
Based on the success shown in McKee’s two appearances at the top of his sophomore season, Berman suggested that it could be worthwhile to money in on that sample by trading McKee to a QB-needy team. As a substitute of allowing McKee to develop into the subsequent Malik Willis in free agency, it could be prudent to trade McKee, before his contract 12 months, to a team that will overpay in return for Philadelphia’s former sixth-round pick. After all, the Eagles need a backup quarterback, and after the team allowed reserve passer Sam Howell to depart for Dallas in free agency, trading away McKee would necessitate the addition of not less than one latest arm (and certain a pair more to get through camp).
To that end, Berman suggested the signing of a free agent of their mid-20s with starting experience — perhaps a reunion with Kenny Pickett — and the drafting of a mid- to late-round rookie. A trade to ship out McKee never took shape, and per Berman, there was “no indication” that one will. With McKee in place behind Hurts, it seemed only a draft addition is perhaps needed, and the Eagles delivered on that by choosing North Dakota State passer Cole Payton within the fifth round.
While Philadelphia now had the three bodies within the QB room that Berman desired, the team still selected to pursue a veteran arm with starting experience. After Berman’s preferred goal signed with the Panthers, the Eagles opted to alleviate Pickett of competition for the QB2 role in Carolina by trading to accumulate Panthers backup Andy Dalton. Now, Dalton is a veteran with starting experience, like Berman was in search of, but at 38 years old, Dalton is a tick past his mid-20s. At first, it was thought that he was brought in so as to add a veteran voice to the room, but Berman is under the impression that Dalton is legitimately pushing McKee for the QB2 role.
Dalton’s addition doesn’t just alter McKee’s situation but Payton’s, as well. Before the trade, it seemed that Payton had been drafted to fill the QB3 role left vacant in Howell’s departure. With Dalton in the combo, now, it seems apparent that the third string role might be given to the loser of the QB2 battle. It doesn’t quite make sense to let Payton walk, though. The team grew to love him while meeting throughout the pre-draft process as Payton was rising up draft boards.
For this reason, Berman doesn’t rule out the likelihood that McKee still is perhaps traded away. If the Eagles imagine they’re secure with Dalton and Payton behind Hurts, they could opt to deal McKee and shift focus to developing Payton. In the event that they don’t think Dalton is able to effectively backing up Hurts, though, they could find it vital to carry on to McKee and utilize the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal.
If McKee does get dealt, Berman offered that a team just like the Jets might have been interested. It was recently reported that Recent York might keep watch over Titans backup Will Levis for a late trade or waiver wire pickup, and while Levis has a bit more experience that McKee, the 2 wouldn’t be that far apart as potential trade targets. Philly reports to training camp about every week and half from now, and all eyes aren’t necessarily on this competition, nevertheless it could have major ramifications for the front office’s decision-making.