The 2026 NFL season is almost here, and your Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up as serious contenders, even if they’re not Super Bowl favorites this time around. But as training camp wraps up, a huge question mark hangs over the backup quarterback spot, leaving fans scratching their heads. The ‘battle’ between incumbent Tanner McKee and veteran Andy Dalton for Jalen Hurts’ No. 2 role? It was anything but a thrilling spectacle, and honestly, nobody in Philly is feeling good about it right now.
Who’s Stepping Up Behind Jalen Hurts? (Spoiler: No One, Really)
Yeah, it’s not looking great for the Eagles’ backup QB situation. Dalton, our favorite veteran ginger, seemed to get more reps as Hurts’ understudy for most of the summer. But then McKee, in his more limited action, actually appeared to outplay him. Here’s the kicker: neither guy exactly bathed themselves in glory out there. This whole situation makes you wonder just how much faith the organization has lost in McKee after his lackluster performance in Week 18 last season. If you ask me, and based on what we’ve seen, McKee still has more upside. I’d keep him over Dalton any day. But if Howie Roseman isn’t sold on either guy, those long-rumored trade talks for Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy or Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson might actually come true after the final preseason game. It’s an ideal scenario for sure, because right now, we’re left with a huge question mark for a team that’s stacked everywhere else, especially on defense, where they could easily be a top-five unit.
Saquon Barkley’s Rollercoaster Ride Has Fantasy Owners Absolutely Terrified
If you played fantasy last year, you know the pain. I picked Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall in my draft, and I finished 11th in a 12-team league. The two were definitely related. Look, nobody expected him to repeat his insane 2,005-yard performance from 2024. But a drop from 125.3 yards per game to a measly 71.3? That wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. It wasn’t all on Saquon, though. Our offensive line was banged up all year, and the playcalling and scheme did him zero favors. So, with a new Sean Mannion offense and hopefully a healthy offensive line, we’re all biting our nails, wondering how Barkley will perform. If you draft him as your RB1 this year, are you doomed to failure like I was? It’s the kind of high-stakes question that keeps you up at night, and it means everything for the real team, too.
Beyond DeVonta Smith, Who Catches the Next Big Chunk of Yards?
One thing’s for sure: DeVonta Smith is going to lead this team in receiving yards. Barring some kind of disaster or an absolutely wild breakout from someone else, that’s a lock. But after Smith, who steps up? The Ringer’s Philly Special spent their last couple of podcasts digging into this exact question, and honestly, it’s a good one. With the offense needing to evolve, and questions hanging over who the second-best pass-catcher is, it adds another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating season opener.
The countdown to the 2026 regular season is officially on, and these aren’t just little questions, folks. These are the kind of crucial unknowns that can make or break a contender. Can the offense truly evolve as hoped? Will Howie Roseman pull off another blockbuster trade to solidify the backup QB spot? We’re all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see how these puzzles shake out once the real games begin and the Eagles hit the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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