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Backup QB Tanner McKee Steals the Show in Preseason Stunner
8 Aug
Summary
- Tanner McKee's impressive 20-of-25, 252-yard, 2 TD, 1 rushing TD performance
- Bengals' starters, including Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, dominate early
- McKee's performance could lead to a trade opportunity for the Eagles
On August 8th, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their preseason schedule with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Many expected the story of the game to be the Bengals' starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, finally getting some playing time. And for the first quarter, that's exactly what happened, as Burrow and Chase connected for a touchdown, and the Bengals' offense looked in midseason form.
However, the real story of the game emerged in the form of Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee. The former sixth-round pick out of Stanford put together an all-time preseason performance, going 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two touchdown passes, while also adding a rushing score. This impressive display has many people now calling McKee a starting-caliber quarterback, and the Eagles are likely to receive calls about his availability.
Performances like this in the preseason have led to players getting traded in the past, with Teddy Bridgewater's 2018 exhibition success leading to a trade to the New Orleans Saints. If McKee can put together another strong showing, the Eagles may find themselves in a similar situation, with teams looking to bolster their quarterback depth potentially making a move for the young signal-caller.