If the Philadelphia Eagles are even going to consider a trade with their backup quarterback, Tanner McKee, it's going to have to be a very good deal.
The Eagles had their chances last offseason to move on from McKee in a trade, but general manager Howie Roseman instead wanted to keep him around to be the backup. Lucky for the Eagles, McKee was only really called upon to start in the final week of the regular season against the Washington Commanders, where he put up an average performance, completing 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown to one interception, adding three rushing yards on two carries in the loss.
That performance shouldn't affect interest from other NFL teams, though, as many teams need either a quarterback to compete to start in 2026 or one they can develop into a future starter. There's one potential team that might give up a few picks to get their quarterback of the future from Philly.
Tanner McKee mock trade proposal for Eagles
ESPN NFL writer Bill Barnwell listed potential trades that could happen in the offseason, noting that the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are discussing a deal. Philly would acquire a 2026 third-round pick and 2027 third-round pick (conditional), while Pittsburgh gets McKee.
"Eagles GM Howie Roseman will want more, of course. The Texans once swapped first- and second-round picks with the Falcons -- with Atlanta moving up in each round -- to draft and extend Matt Schaub, who had completed 52% of his passes and started twice over three seasons. Roseman would probably ask for edge rusher Nick Herbig, who led the league in pass rush win rate on the outside in a breakout season. Herbig is also a free agent after the year and stuck behind two talented and highly paid veterans in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but Roseman would likely need to send a Day 2 pick with McKee to land the 24-year-old.
In reality, though, McKee is more of a mystery box than a proven player. There are no guarantees that he would land a significant deal in free agency or that the Eagles would avoid canceling out that compensatory pick with their own signings. Locking in the third-round pick here would make sense. And with this proposal, Philly could also land a conditional third-round pick in 2027 if McKee makes at least eight starts and/or starts a playoff game for the Steelers during the 2026 season."
Herbig would be a great addition to the Eagles, as he would be cheap in the final year of his rookie contract and would fill a hole at the edge rusher position. Last season, he racked up 30 tackles, 18 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and one fumble returned for a touchdown in 15 games.
The Eagles could use that 2026 third-round pick to find McKee's replacement to back up Jalen Hurts and potentially compete with another veteran. They also give McKee his first real shot at starting in the NFL for 2026 or 2027.
Read more: Eagles surprise fans with internal hire to become Jalen Hurts' new QB coach
Of the deals that have been proposed, this one would be a home run for the Eagles and one that would be accepted right away by Roseman.