Tanner McKee: Eagles Preseason Review - The Future Backup QB Behind Jalen Hurts?

Tanner McKee's Eagles Preseason: A Comprehensive Analysis

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2023 NFL season with Jalen Hurts firmly entrenched as their franchise quarterback. However, the backup quarterback position presented a point of intrigue, particularly with the arrival of rookie Tanner McKee. Drafted in the sixth round out of Stanford, McKee entered training camp and the preseason with the opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially secure the QB2 role. This analysis delves into McKee's preseason performance, examining his strengths, weaknesses, areas for improvement, and overall prospects as a potential future backup for the Eagles.

The Backup Quarterback Landscape in Philadelphia

Prior to the draft, the Eagles' backup quarterback situation was somewhat unsettled. While Gardner Minshew had previously served in that capacity, his departure created a void. The team signed Marcus Mariota, a veteran with starting experience, to provide a seasoned presence. However, Mariota's performance throughout the preseason was inconsistent, opening the door for McKee to compete for playing time and potentially supplant him as the primary backup. The dynamic between these two quarterbacks formed a key storyline throughout training camp and the preseason games.

Tanner McKee's Preseason Performance: A Game-by-Game Breakdown

To accurately assess McKee's potential, let's break down his performance in each of the Eagles' preseason games:

Game 1: Baltimore Ravens

McKee's first taste of NFL action came against the Baltimore Ravens. In this game, he demonstrated poise and composure, especially for a rookie. He exhibited a good command of the offense and made several accurate throws. However, he also showed signs of inexperience, including a few questionable decisions and a tendency to hold onto the ball for too long. His stats reflected a mixed bag: a completion percentage hovering around 60%, a touchdown, and an interception.

Key observations from this game:

• Strengths: Poise under pressure, accurate short to intermediate throws.
• Weaknesses: Occasional slow decision-making, holding the ball too long, needs to improve pocket awareness.

Game 2: Cleveland Browns

Against the Cleveland Browns, McKee showed improvement in some areas while still grappling with rookie growing pains. He appeared more comfortable in the pocket and made quicker decisions. His accuracy remained consistent, and he demonstrated a better understanding of the Eagles' offensive scheme. However, he still struggled with deep throws and showed a tendency to force passes into tight coverage. The Browns' defense also presented more challenges, leading to a few sacks and hurried throws.

Key observations from this game:

• Strengths: Improved decision-making, better pocket presence, consistent accuracy on short and intermediate routes.
• Weaknesses: Struggles with deep throws, forcing passes into tight coverage, susceptible to pressure from aggressive defenses.

Game 3: Indianapolis Colts

The final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts provided McKee with his most significant opportunity to showcase his potential. He played a large portion of the game and demonstrated significant progress in his overall performance. He made several impressive throws, including a few deep passes that displayed his arm strength. His decision-making was sharper, and he seemed more confident in his reads. While not perfect, this game offered a glimpse of what McKee could become with further development. He also displayed leadership qualities in the huddle, something coaches value highly.

Key observations from this game:

• Strengths: Improved arm strength on deep throws, sharper decision-making, increased confidence, demonstrated leadership qualities.
• Weaknesses: Still needs to refine accuracy on deep throws, occasional lapses in judgment under pressure, room for improvement in pre-snap reads.

McKee's Strengths and Weaknesses: A Detailed Breakdown

Based on his preseason performances, we can identify McKee's key strengths and weaknesses, providing a clearer picture of his potential trajectory.

Strengths

• Arm Strength: McKee possesses above-average arm strength, allowing him to make throws to all levels of the field. This is a crucial attribute for an NFL quarterback, enabling him to stretch the field and challenge defenses vertically.
• Accuracy: While not consistently pinpoint accurate, McKee demonstrates good accuracy on short and intermediate throws. He can consistently hit receivers in stride, allowing them to gain yards after the catch.
• Pocket Presence: As the preseason progressed, McKee's pocket presence improved significantly. He showed a better understanding of how to navigate the pocket, avoid pressure, and create throwing lanes.
• Poise Under Pressure: Despite being a rookie, McKee displayed remarkable poise under pressure. He didn't panic when faced with blitzes or collapsing pockets, maintaining his composure and making accurate throws.
• Intelligence and Football IQ: Scouts and coaches have consistently praised McKee's intelligence and football IQ. He's a quick learner who grasps complex concepts and demonstrates a good understanding of offensive schemes.
• Leadership Qualities: Even as a rookie, McKee displayed leadership qualities in the huddle and on the sideline. He's a vocal and confident presence who commands respect from his teammates.

Weaknesses

• Deep Ball Accuracy: While his arm strength allows him to make deep throws, McKee's accuracy on those throws needs improvement. He often overthrows or underthrows receivers on deep routes, limiting his ability to consistently connect on those plays.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: While generally poised under pressure, McKee occasionally makes questionable decisions when faced with intense pressure. He sometimes forces throws into tight coverage or takes unnecessary sacks.
• Mobility: McKee is not a particularly mobile quarterback. He's not a threat to run with the ball and lacks the elusiveness to consistently escape pressure. This limits his ability to extend plays and create opportunities outside of the pocket. While pocket presence improved, pure mobility is not a strength.
• Release Point: His release point can sometimes be a bit low, leading to batted balls at the line of scrimmage. Adjusting his release and working on his throwing mechanics will be key to minimizing this issue.
• Consistency: As with any young player, consistency is key. McKee needs to consistently demonstrate the positive aspects of his game and minimize the negative ones.

Comparing McKee to Marcus Mariota: The Battle for QB2

Throughout training camp and the preseason, McKee was in direct competition with veteran Marcus Mariota for the backup quarterback role. A comparison of their performances is essential to understanding McKee's chances of securing the QB2 spot.

Marcus Mariota's Preseason Performance

Mariota's preseason was characterized by inconsistency. He flashed moments of brilliance, showcasing his athleticism and arm talent. However, he also made several costly mistakes, including turnovers and poor decisions. His accuracy was erratic, and he struggled to consistently move the offense.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here's a comparative analysis of McKee and Mariota based on key performance indicators:

• Accuracy: McKee generally demonstrated better accuracy on short and intermediate throws than Mariota.
• Decision-Making: While both quarterbacks made mistakes, McKee showed more consistent decision-making throughout the preseason.
• Pocket Presence: McKee's pocket presence improved steadily, while Mariota struggled at times to navigate pressure.
• Arm Strength: Mariota arguably possesses slightly more arm strength than McKee, although McKee's arm strength is more than adequate for the NFL.
• Mobility: Mariota is significantly more mobile than McKee, offering the potential to extend plays with his legs.
• Experience: Mariota has a clear advantage in terms of NFL experience, having started games for multiple teams.
• Upside: McKee, as a rookie, possesses more long-term upside than Mariota. His potential for growth and development is higher.

The Coaching Staff's Perspective

Ultimately, the Eagles' coaching staff will make the final decision regarding the backup quarterback role. Factors that will likely influence their decision include:

• Performance in Games: The coaching staff will closely evaluate each quarterback's performance in preseason games, focusing on accuracy, decision-making, and overall command of the offense.
• Practice Performance: Practice performance is equally important. The coaching staff will observe each quarterback's consistency, work ethic, and ability to learn and adapt.
• Chemistry with Teammates: The coaching staff will assess each quarterback's ability to build rapport with teammates and lead the offense.
• Understanding of the Offense: A deep understanding of the Eagles' offensive scheme is crucial. The coaching staff will evaluate each quarterback's ability to grasp complex concepts and execute plays effectively.
• Potential for Future Development: The coaching staff will consider each quarterback's potential for future development. McKee's youth and upside may be appealing, while Mariota's experience offers a more immediate solution.

The Eagles' Quarterback System: How McKee Fits In

Understanding the Eagles' overall quarterback system is crucial to assessing McKee's role and future prospects. The Eagles prioritize a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his legs and throw accurately on the move. Jalen Hurts embodies this archetype, and the coaching staff likely seeks a backup who possesses similar qualities, albeit to a lesser extent.

The Importance of Mobility

While McKee is not as mobile as Hurts or Mariota, his improved pocket presence and ability to make quick decisions can mitigate this weakness. He needs to continue to develop his ability to navigate the pocket and create throwing lanes, even when facing pressure. The modern NFL increasingly values quarterbacks who can extend plays, and while McKee's skill set isn't centered around running, improvements in his pocket awareness are essential.

The Need for Accuracy and Decision-Making

In the Eagles' offense, accuracy and decision-making are paramount. The coaching staff emphasizes quick reads and accurate throws, particularly on short and intermediate routes. McKee's accuracy in these areas is a significant strength, making him a potentially valuable asset in the Eagles' system. He needs to continue to refine his decision-making, particularly under pressure, to minimize turnovers and maximize scoring opportunities.

The Value of a Strong Backup

The importance of a strong backup quarterback cannot be overstated. In today's NFL, injuries are common, and teams often need to rely on their backup quarterbacks to win games. A reliable backup can provide stability and prevent a season from derailing due to an injury to the starting quarterback. The Eagles recognize the value of a strong backup and are committed to finding the best possible option to support Jalen Hurts.

McKee's Long-Term Potential: Is He the Future?

While McKee's preseason performance was promising, it's important to consider his long-term potential. As a sixth-round draft pick, his expectations are tempered. However, he possesses the raw talent and work ethic to develop into a solid NFL backup quarterback. The key will be his continued development and his ability to learn and adapt to the demands of the NFL game.

Areas for Future Development

To maximize his potential, McKee needs to focus on the following areas:

• Deep Ball Accuracy: Improving his accuracy on deep throws is crucial to unlocking his full potential. He needs to work on his throwing mechanics and develop a better feel for throwing the deep ball.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Refining his decision-making under pressure is essential to minimizing turnovers and maximizing scoring opportunities. He needs to learn to read defenses quickly and make smart decisions, even when facing intense pressure.
• Mobility: While he may never be a particularly mobile quarterback, McKee can improve his ability to navigate the pocket and create throwing lanes. He needs to work on his footwork and develop a better understanding of how to avoid pressure.
• Consistency: Consistency is key for any young player. McKee needs to consistently demonstrate the positive aspects of his game and minimize the negative ones. He needs to approach each practice and game with a focus on improvement and attention to detail.
• Leadership: Continue to develop his leadership qualities and become a vocal presence in the locker room.

The Eagles' Investment in Quarterback Development

The Eagles have a track record of investing in quarterback development. They have a strong coaching staff that is dedicated to helping young quarterbacks reach their full potential. They also provide a supportive environment where quarterbacks can learn and grow. This commitment to quarterback development bodes well for McKee's future prospects.

Projecting McKee's Career Trajectory

Predicting the future is always difficult, but based on his preseason performance and the Eagles' commitment to quarterback development, it's reasonable to project that McKee has the potential to develop into a reliable NFL backup quarterback. He may never become a star, but he could provide valuable stability and prevent a season from derailing due to an injury to the starting quarterback. His ceiling is likely that of a long-term, dependable backup who can step in and win games when needed. His floor is that of a practice squad player or someone who bounces around the league without ever truly sticking.

The Final Verdict: Is McKee the Eagles' Future Backup?

Tanner McKee's preseason performance presented a mixed bag of promising flashes and areas needing improvement. He demonstrated arm strength, poise, and intelligence, but also revealed weaknesses in deep ball accuracy, decision-making under pressure, and mobility. His competition with Marcus Mariota highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both players, ultimately leaving the final decision in the hands of the Eagles' coaching staff.

The Likely Outcome

Given Mariota's veteran status and guaranteed contract, he likely entered the season as the primary backup to Jalen Hurts. However, McKee's potential and Mariota's inconsistent performance kept the door open for McKee to potentially supplant him at some point during the season. The Eagles likely saw value in keeping McKee on the active roster or practice squad, investing in his long-term development.

The Future Beyond 2023

Looking beyond the 2023 season, McKee's future with the Eagles depends on his continued development and the team's overall quarterback situation. If he can continue to improve his skills and demonstrate his value to the coaching staff, he could become a long-term backup option for the Eagles. However, he will need to prove that he can consistently perform at a high level and that he is a reliable option in case of injury to Jalen Hurts. The Eagles may also consider drafting or signing other quarterbacks in the future, which could impact McKee's long-term prospects. Ultimately, McKee's future with the Eagles will depend on his own performance and the team's overall quarterback strategy.

In conclusion, Tanner McKee's preseason performance provided a glimpse of his potential, but he still has work to do to secure his future as the Eagles' backup quarterback. His development will be closely monitored, and his progress will ultimately determine his long-term role with the team. The Eagles clearly saw something they liked in McKee, and their investment in his development will be crucial to his success.