Tanner McKee dropped a 125.8 passer rating on the New England Patriots Saturday night, torching their defense for two touchdowns and making the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback competition anything but fair. McKee’s lights-out performance in the 24-21 loss to the Patriots has got everyone in Philly talking, and frankly, it screams that Andy Dalton’s time as the Eagles’ No. 2 QB is pretty much over.
Dalton’s Offense Just Flatlined
Look, we all know how crucial a solid backup is, and right now, Andy Dalton just ain’t it for the Eagles. After an “ineffective” 3-for-6, 20-yard outing against the Ravens last week, Dalton followed it up with a miserable 3-for-10 for 44 yards against the Patriots. Every single one of his completions in that game went to Darius Cooper, including a 25-yarder and a 13-yarder on the Eagles’ first touchdown drive. But let’s be real, those numbers are rough. Through nine preseason drives, Dalton’s sitting at a dismal 6-for-16 for 64 yards with a passer rating of just 50.0. The guy, all 38 years of him, hasn’t brought any “juice” to the offense in games, despite what might be happening in practice. It’s tough to watch, and it puts the Eagles in a serious bind.
McKee Stepped Up Big Time, Even With the 3’s
This is where it gets exciting for Eagles fans. Tanner McKee was sharp and decisive, slinging it for 16-for-22 and 173 yards, with two touchdown passes and zero interceptions! That 125.8 passer rating isn’t just good, it’s dominant, especially when you consider he was mainly out there with the third-string offensive line and skill players. Andy Dalton was playing with the second unit, for crying out loud, and McKee still blew him out of the water. Yeah, McKee missed a few throws and struggled under pressure, but the dude showed he can lead the offense and make big plays. He gave way to rookie Cole Payton with only 57 seconds left, but the message was already sent loud and clear.
What’s Next for the Birds?
The writing is on the wall, folks. Tanner McKee “has to be the Eagles’ backup quarterback” to Jalen Hurts. Nick Sirianni might talk about “fair competition” and Dalton’s “experience,” but the game film speaks for itself. Howie (Roseman, we assume) should be calling around trying to find some team that wants to trade for Dalton, even if it’s for a bottom-of-the-draft pick. There’s another preseason game and a week until the roster deadline, so the Eagles have to make a move. Eagles fans need a backup who can step in and run the offense, and right now, that’s absolutely Tanner McKee.
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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