Tanner McKee: 5 Shocking Predictions for the 2025 Season
Is Tanner McKee just a backup? We dive into 5 shocking predictions for the Eagles QB's 2025 season that could change everything for him and the team.
David Cole
Seasoned NFL analyst and writer with a deep focus on quarterback development and team dynamics.
When you think of the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback room, your mind immediately goes to Jalen Hurts. He’s the franchise, the MVP candidate, the man with the nine-figure contract. Then, you might think of the backup, a veteran presence like Kenny Pickett, brought in to be a reliable QB2. And somewhere further down the depth chart, there’s Tanner McKee. The 2023 seventh-round pick from Stanford is often seen as a long-term project, a classic pocket passer in a league trending towards mobility—an afterthought for many fans.
But the NFL is a league of opportunity, where narratives can flip in a single training camp, a single series, or a single game. While the spotlight is firmly fixed elsewhere, the 2025 season could be the year the script flips for Tanner McKee. We’re not talking about him unseating a healthy Jalen Hurts—let’s be realistic. We’re talking about a series of events so unexpected they would send ripples through the Eagles organization and its fanbase. What if the developmental prospect becomes an undeniable asset?
Forget what you think you know. Let's dive into five shocking—but not impossible—predictions for Tanner McKee's 2025 season.
Prediction 1: McKee Wins the QB2 Job Outright in Camp
The first domino to fall. The Eagles brought in Kenny Pickett as a low-risk, high-upside backup. The assumption is that his first-round pedigree and starting experience make him the clear QB2. But what happens when the pads come on in August 2025?
McKee will be entering his third year in Nick Sirianni and Kellen Moore’s system. That's two full seasons of absorbing the playbook, building chemistry with second and third-team receivers, and refining his mechanics with the coaching staff. While Pickett has starting experience, he'll also have a history of inconsistent play and will still be relatively new to the Eagles' specific offensive scheme. In a head-to-head camp battle, McKee’s strengths—his pristine pocket presence, quick processing, and rhythmic accuracy—could shine brightly.
Imagine a preseason where McKee is simply the better quarterback. He’s more decisive, more accurate, and moves the offense with more efficiency. Coaches value performance over pedigree, and if McKee consistently outperforms the competition, they’ll have no choice but to reward him. Winning the QB2 job wouldn't just be an upset; it would be a statement that his development is officially ahead of schedule.
Tale of the Tape: 2025 Camp Battle
| Attribute | Tanner McKee (The Challenger) | Hypothetical QB2 (e.g., Kenny Pickett) |
|---|---|---|
| System Familiarity | 3rd year in system; deep understanding. | 2nd year in system; still mastering nuances. |
| Key Strength | Elite pocket presence and rhythmic accuracy. | Starting experience and functional mobility. |
| Camp Narrative | "Is the developmental pick ready to contribute?" | "Can he prove he's a reliable backup?" |
| X-Factor | Clean, decisive play that makes the offense look easy. | Tendency to hold the ball or force plays under pressure. |
Prediction 2: He Starts 3+ Games (and Wins Most of Them)
This is where the story gets real. Jalen Hurts is one of the toughest players in the league, but the nature of his playing style and the sheer violence of the NFL mean that even minor injuries can happen. Let’s say Hurts suffers a sprained ankle or a concussion that sidelines him for a three-game stretch.
Suddenly, the newly-minted QB2, Tanner McKee, is thrust into the spotlight. The expectations are low: just manage the game, don't turn the ball over, and keep the ship afloat. But McKee does more than that. Supported by an elite offensive line, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and a strong running game, McKee executes the pocket-passing element of Kellen Moore's offense to perfection.
His style is a shocking change of pace. Instead of Hurts’ electrifying scrambles, fans and defenses see a surgeon in the pocket. Quick, decisive throws. Expertly navigating pressure without bailing. He leads the Eagles to a 2-1 or even 3-0 record in his starts. He doesn't have to be spectacular; he just has to be efficient and poised. By proving he can win, he moves from a theoretical asset to a proven commodity.
Prediction 3: A "McKee-Mania" Buzz Develops in Philly
Philadelphia is a city that loves an underdog and a good quarterback debate. Remember the energy around Gardner Minshew? Or Nick Foles? If McKee steps in and wins games, a similar phenomenon is inevitable. It won't be a serious "He should replace Jalen Hurts!" movement, but it will be a loud, energetic buzz.
Sports radio phone lines will light up. Fans will praise his classic drop-back style. Pundits will create segments titled, "Do the Eagles have the best backup QB in the NFL?" You'll see homemade "Tanner the Man-ner" signs at Lincoln Financial Field. It's the kind of excitement that only a successful backup can generate.
This "McKee-Mania" would be less about creating a controversy and more about celebrating found value. The fanbase would rally around the seventh-round pick who stepped up when the team needed him most, creating a fun and memorable chapter in the 2025 season.
Prediction 4: His Play Generates Legitimate Day 2 Trade Buzz
Front offices around the NFL are always watching. When a young, cost-controlled quarterback on a rookie contract not only plays well but wins, he immediately lands on the radar of QB-needy teams. After his successful stint as a starter, the narrative around McKee shifts externally.
He's no longer just "the Eagles' backup." He's a potential starting-caliber quarterback. Teams with aging veterans or unsettled QB situations (think the Giants, the Seahawks, the Raiders) will start making calls. ESPN and NFL Network insiders will begin reporting that the Eagles are "receiving interest" in Tanner McKee.
The shocking part isn't that teams would be interested, but the level of that interest. We're not talking about a future 6th-round pick swap. We're talking about legitimate offers. The prediction? By the 2026 NFL Draft, a team puts a 3rd-round pick on the table for McKee. Howie Roseman, who loves to accumulate draft capital, would now face a fascinating decision: keep the high-end backup or cash in the asset he developed from a late-round flier.
Prediction 5: He Forces a Tough Roster Decision on Another QB
This is the final, most shocking outcome of McKee's breakout 2025 season. His elevated play and proven ability don't force a decision on Jalen Hurts. They force a decision on everyone else in the QB room.
Let's go back to Kenny Pickett. If McKee wins the QB2 job and plays well, Pickett becomes a highly-paid, overqualified QB3. The Eagles would likely look to trade Pickett to recoup some value rather than keep him inactive on game days. McKee's emergence would have a direct, tangible impact on the roster construction.
This is the ultimate sign of a player's arrival. He's no longer just fighting for a spot; his performance is now shaping the depth chart around him. By proving he is a reliable, winning backup, McKee solidifies his own value to the point that the Eagles are forced to move on from another quarterback they invested in. He would transition from a question mark to a foundational piece of the team's depth and asset management strategy.
Conclusion: From Afterthought to Asset
Let's be clear: these are called shocking predictions for a reason. The most likely path for Tanner McKee is to continue developing quietly as the Eagles' QB3. But potential is a powerful thing. With his unique skillset, intelligence, and a few years in a top-tier NFL environment, the stage is set for a surprise.
The 2025 season will be his moment of truth. If the dominoes fall just right, Tanner McKee could go from a forgotten draft pick to one of the most valuable backup quarterbacks in the league, creating a fascinating storyline and a series of difficult—but good—decisions for the Philadelphia Eagles.