One of the key training camp battles for the Philadelphia Eagles was who would be the backup for Jalen Hurts: Tanner McKee or Andy Dalton. While Dalton currently has the slight edge, the race is not over just yet.
Last season, McKee served as the second quarterback, starting in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders when the Eagles decided to rest their starters heading into the playoffs. In the loss, the Stanford product threw for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception on just over 50% completion.
Ranked by ESPN as the fifth-best backup quarterback in the NFL entering 2025, while CBS Sports' Pete Prisco placed him fourth, the Eagles still wanted to add some competition for McKee to the quarterback room.
Dalton brings veteran presence to Philadelphia
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Philadelphia acquired Dalton for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick at the start of the offseason, marking the first time the 15-year veteran had been traded. After starting for the Cincinnati Bengals for nine seasons, where he led Cincinnati to five consecutive playoff appearances from 2011-15, Dalton has settled into a backup role, serving as a veteran mentor in recent years.
Instead of feeling intimidated by Dalton's arrival, McKee views competition as something that can make him better.
“I don’t think you can be surprised whenever they bring in somebody or there’s competition, because in the NFL, there’s always going to be competition,” McKee said. “They’re trying to improve the roster every year, and so anybody that they can bring in to make you compete or make you earn your spot, that’s definitely what everybody wants.”
McKee and Dalton have been trading reps with the second-team offense, with the Philadelphia coaching staff trying to get a clear read on both players. Dalton believes that has been beneficial for him and McKee.
"Both getting a chance to be out there with the twos, and next day you're with the threes," Dalton said. "I think it's been good for both of us."
While the two quarterbacks are battling on the field, McKee has enjoyed having Dalton in the room as someone to ask questions and also push him even harder.
“It is great having that overall wisdom, I guess you could say, of just the experience that he’s had to talk through things,” McKee said. “It really does make each other better, and that’s exactly what everybody wants when we have competition, is to make the Eagles organization better.”
Don't forget rookie Cole Payton
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While general manager Howie Roseman originally remarked that the addition of Dalton does not mean that McKee was being pushed out, the selection of quarterback Cole Payton in the fifth round does throw a wrench in the mix.
Payton isn't automatically guaranteed a roster spot simply because Philadelphia spent a Day 3 pick on him and hasn't had the smoothest camp, but the coaching staff has spoken highly of his improvement and his intelligence.
While the focus will be on the depth chart, if Payton earns a roster spot, one of McKee or Dalton could be the odd man out.
