If there is anyone who can appreciate having a starting quarterback serve as a mentor, it's Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
It's been apparent over the last few years that Hurts has served as a mentor for his backup, Tanner McKee, who is set to make his second career start after Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni decided to start the backups for their Week 18 showdown against the Washington Commanders. Hurts spoke about McKee and how he appreciates him as a backup....something he subtly said he didn't have early in his career.
"Conversation. Dialogue. Those things are very important in the quarterback room and considering he's been a constant in our room for the last three years he has been here being able to go through some of those changes together and process those teams and take the coaching and go out there and play. I think that is very beneficial and I think to be an example and sometimes I don't value or I do value the example that I've been to him just because I didn't have that. So, I know that's something he values and he's a hell of a player."
Hurts made his feelings know about Carson Wentz
Back in 2020, when Hurts was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, there was some awkwardness with Carson Wentz being the starter. Wentz was at the tail end of his time with the Eagles, as he was eventually benched for Hurts and never got his job back, leaving Philly after the season.
Hurts certainly made it clear with those comments that Wentz may not have been the most welcoming to him when he came to Philadelphia. It's a classic tale of a starter being threatened by a back and not wanting to mentor them, like what happened with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
It's clear that Hurts takes his role as McKee's mentor seriously, and it has shown on the field. McKee completed over 66% of his passes and threw four touchdowns to zero interceptions when he stepped in last year for Hurts and Kenny Pickett, who were hurt. That performance helped him earn the backup job to Hurts.
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McKee and Hurts have worked well together over the last three years and it continues to be a good relationship, but one that might not last long if McKee has another standout game against the Commanders as he could be trade bait for Philly in the offseason.