Tanner McKee made quite the impression during his NFL debut, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants on January 5, 2025. This win marked the Eagles' 14th triumph of the season, solidifying their status as playoff contenders.
Stepping onto the field as starting quarterback, McKee took charge amid significant injuries on the team. With star player Jalen Hurts recovering from both a finger injury and concussion protocol, and backup Kenny Pickett sidelined by rib issues, McKee, typically the third-string quarterback, seized the opportunity.
His performance was nothing short of spectacular as he completed 27 of 41 pass attempts for 269 yards, scoring two touchdowns and finishing with an impressive passer rating of 100.6. "You see Tanner McKee just throwing dimes all over the field? It’s fun to watch," remarked Eagles center Cam Jurgens, highlighting McKee's ability to connect with 11 different receivers throughout the game.
McKee's standout performance helped propel the Eagles to their franchise-record-tying victory total, matching the 14 wins achieved two years prior. With playoff aspirations steaming, Philadelphia chose to rest several key players, including running back Saquon Barkley and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, as their playoff seed was already secured.
After the game, head coach Nick Sirianni commended McKee, stating, "I thought he was in complete control of the game. Every time he gets an opportunity, he does really well. We’re excited about Tanner and the player he is." McKee himself expressed thoughtfulness about his debut, sharing, "Looking internally, I just felt like I showed confidence to go out and operate, run the offense. It was a growing opportunity, which was great. I’m happy to get my feet wet… and grow, watch the film, and learn from the experience."
Besides his promising performance, McKee possesses a unique background. Notably, he spent nearly three years engaging in missionary work in Brazil, where he became fluent in Portuguese. He proudly displays the Brazilian flag on his helmet, reflecting his deep connection to the country. During his time abroad, he lived for several months in São Paulo and spent two years in Curitiba before moving back to the United States to finish his education at Stanford.
Although not immediately labeled as a star, McKee’s strong performances over the past two weeks—where he also shined coming off the bench—have already generated buzz about his potential as the primary backup to Hurts. Given this unexpected turn of events, questions arise about the future of Kenny Pickett, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. With McKee under contract until 2026 on favorable terms, he’s made his case loud and clear.
While other teams scrambled with uncertainties around their quarterback situations—many resting starters without victory—McKee showcased the depth of the Eagles' roster, proving they are not only prepared but can thrive even under pressure.
Looking to the future, the Eagles' management will evaluate the QB depth chart closely during the offseason. If McKee's performance translates well moving forward, it could spark trade opportunities or adjustments to the current roster composition. All eyes will now be on how McKee evolves within this talented quarterback room as the Eagles turn their focus toward the wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
Heading down the playoff path, the buzz around Tanner McKee suggests he might just be carving out a notable role within the Eagles' storyline. With the franchise's depths highlighted through his debut performance, Philadelphia fans are left feeling optimistic about both the present and future of their team as they chase another Super Bowl victory.