How Tanner McKee becomes a sounding board for Jalen Hurts
How Tanner McKee becomes a sounding board for Jalen Hurts originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The first couple years, Tanner McKee was the one asking all the questions and Jalen Hurts was the one with all the answers.
Things have changed, and as McKee enters his third NFL season - and his first as Hurts' backup - the relationship has become more balanced.
And when the Super Bowl MVP is asking questions of the 6th-round pick with one career start, that speaks volumes about the respect Hurts has for McKee's grasp of the Eagles' offense.
I feel like each year that I am in the NFL, I feel like I learn more and I know more," McKee said after practice Tuesday. So I feel like we kind of have a better relationship of more him trusting me that like, I can be his eyes off the field and what did you see there? And what do you think there?
I've always asked him questions of, What are you seeing? What are you thinking?' I think as I get a little bit older, it's more of a conversation back and forth. Kind of, What are we both seeing.'"
McKee was No. 3 behind Hurts and Marcus Mariota as a rookie in 2023 and No. 3 last year behind Hurts and Kenny Pickett.
He finally got a chance to play late in the season and became only the second player in NFL history with two passing TDs and no interceptions in each of his first two career games. The other, ironically, was Mariota with the Titans in 2015.
It was those performances - in relief of injured Pickett vs. the Cowboys and then starting against the Giants a week later - that convinced the Eagles to trade Pickett to the Browns and move McKee up to No. 2.
He was that good.
Two years ago, McKee was an obscure rookie competing with Ian Book for the No. 3 job. Now he's a backup that Hurts will turn to with his own questions about the offense.
Yeah, he's just grown and continued to grow over time," Hurts said Tuesday. He's been a true sponge. Personally, he's been a big help in the room, just having those conversations and being able to get different opinions from his perspective.
He has a great eye for the game. Obviously, plays the position a little different than myself, but everything is rooted in the same beliefs. And so how you express it is just different between us. And I admire that in him and his help in the room. And he's a hell of a player."
One thing about Hurts. No matter how successful he is - and he's 42-11 in his last 53 starts, has won six playoff games and is one of only five QBs in history to reach two Super Bowls before his 27thbirthday- he won't hesitate to reach out for help when he needs it.
Yeah, some things you internalize on your own, and then some things you don't have a grasp for and you ask," he said. And the availability of those things from a coaching perspective and a teammate perspective are very important when that moment permits."
It's that mastery of the offense along with his big arm, terrific size and uncanny accuracy that convinced the Eagles to move on from Pickett and promote McKee to No. 2.
I was very excited with what happened," he said. Obviously, I love Philadelphia. I love being here. I want to be here as long as I can. So I was very excited when Howie (Roseman) called me and told me the news. And obviously just knowing that they have a lot of trust in me to go out and do my thing and perform.
And if something does happen to Jay, I'll go out and move the ball and move the offense like how it's supposed to be run."
The future is intriguing for McKee. NFL teams covet 6-foot-4 quarterbacks with strong, accurate arms, McKee has shown he can play at this level. He is a starting-caliber quarterback.
As of now, McKee is signed through 2026, so at some point he'll have to decide if he really does want to stay here and back up Hurts or go somewhere where he can compete for a starting job.
He's not losing sleep over that.
Not yet.
It comes down to controlling what I can control and being able to take advantage when opportunities arise," he said. Right now I'm focused on this season, I'm focused on what's ahead of me right now. Being the two and being prepared to go in and play like a starter if anything happens to Jay.
That's my role right now, that's what I'm focused on. And then if anything happens in the future, I'll take advantage of those opportunities."