The Philadelphia Eagles are still working through a lot of the position battles leading up to training camp after two days of mandatory OTAs.
One position battle that is starting to catch everyone's attention is the backup quarterback battle between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. At the three OTA practices the media were at before their final one of the summer, it was Dalton taking the second-string snaps. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked to clarify whether Dalton would be the backup or whether McKee was in the conversation.
“We’re rotating there at the two spot,” Sirianni said via ProFootballTalk. “I’m not ready to say anybody is anything, as far as positions. We don’t have to make any determinations there. What Andy and Tanner have been doing every day is rotating with the twos, and both are getting in a lot of work.”
Nick Sirianni responds to a question about the QB2 battle between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee
Sure enough, Sirianni backed his word as the Eagles rolled McKee out as the QB2 for the final practice before training camp. It was the first time the media had seen McKee in the role, as he had held that job last season.
After three weeks of OTAs, it has been a mixed bag of performances for McKee and Dalton, as neither guy has really separated themselves from the job. Both have compiled a mix of good and bad practices, making training camp even more critical for them.
Many assumed that McKee would win the job since he had been the backup for the Eagles, and Dalton was just the veteran third-stringer. It appears as though Dalton has a legit shot to win the job, and based on what he has done in the past, he might deserve it.
The Eagles still need to decide whether to trade McKee after showing interest in doing so this offseason or to let him play out the final year of his contract. Injuries at quarterback over the next few months could change the story, but McKee, for the time being, looks to be in midnight green for 2026.
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Eagles fans were hoping for something more concrete at QB2, but for now, it is going to be a battle worth monitoring at training camp. Dalton or McKee particularly has the lead, as both will have to earn it if they want the job.
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