Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has long loved making trades around the NFL, and a new proposed trade makes a lot of sense for them.
Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee has been the subject of much trade rumors over the last two years as he enters the offseason as an intriguing name to be either a backup elsewhere or could potentially compete as a starter. While appearing on the NFL Daily podcast, ESPN NFL reporter Bill Barnwell shared a trade proposal that would send McKee to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for edge rusher Nick Herbig.
"If you need a Tanner McKee and you knew someone who obsesses over edge rushing talent, would you not call the Eagles and say, Nick Herbig, Tanner McKee, two guys on rookie deals, you get a cost-controlled player for another year, who had phenomenal pass rushing numbers, and we get our quarterback of the future,” Barnwell said via NFL Daily. “Does that not seem like a scratch my back, I scratch yours situation?”
Eagles would accept a proposed Nick Herbig-Tanner McKee trade in a heartbeat
Herbig has been a solid edge rusher for the Steelers since Pittsburgh selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He's come off the best season of his career as he replaced an injured T.J. Watt with 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.
This would be an easy trade, as the Eagles get a cheap but solid edge rusher who might keep the team from signing Jaelan Phillips to a large contract in free agency. Philly can then draft one of the top edge rushers in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and focus on keeping the defense young and inexpensive.
McKee would get his shot to develop into a starter with the Steelers, whether that's competing with Will Howard for the starting job or sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for one season if he decides to return. This would force the Eagles to draft a quarterback in the second or third round, while still giving Jalen Hurts a good backup or potential competition in 2027.
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Regardless of the situation, if the Eagles get this kind of offer, draft picks will probably be involved, but this is a deal he would take quickly to help the franchise's future.