Everyone's analysis of Tanner McKee's preseason performance is consistent
![Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4086,h_2298,x_0,y_149/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/57/01j4ybg97wk4exszwz9r.jpg)
Who else is having fun? Ten Philadelphia Eagles training camp practices... A 16-13 preseason win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. There is so much to talk about. No football junkie should feel deprived of entertainment.
We can see the cream rise now that we have an actual scrimmage to evaluate. If you're like most, you went to bed and woke up doing your best Howie Roseman impersonation. The process of crafting that initial 53-man regular-season roster will be constant.
As was the case last season, each NFL team carries 90 men until final cuts. Every position is being evaluated, including football's most important.
We know this is Jalen Hurts' team. We thought we knew that Kenny Pickett would be his backup, but that isn't certain any longer because one of Philly's 2023 draft picks has been impressive. That has led to some discussion.
Most trusted voices are in agreement about how Tanner McKee should be viewed by the Eagles and their faithful.
Training camp roster battles are always interesting, and now with what seems like 600 social media platforms, word gets out faster than it once did. We seemingly hear about an incomplete pass 15 seconds after its occurence.
News that Tanner McKee outperformed Kenny Pickett spread like wildfire as training camp wore on. Guess what? Cries to elevate the 2023 sixth-round draft choice from Stanford (McKee) over the former Heisman Trophy finalist and first-round selection (Pickett) have grown louder following Philly's preseason win over Baltimore.
With a tad over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, McKee was busy placing the finishing touches on a 17-play drive that took 7:41 off the game clock. He wouldn't do so with his arm, but who cares? Six points is six points.
Tanner McKee leads the Eagles on a 17 play, 7 minute 41 second TD drive. Lew Nichols with the rushing TD
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 10, 2024
pic.twitter.com/jPatEJyu90
Pickett led an impressive scoring drive of his own, one where he completed all five of his pass attempts during Philly's second offensive possession. The Birds took 8:50 off of the clock by way of 15 plays and put the cherry on top with Pickett's TD pass to Will Shipley.
Will Shipley finds an opening and the @Eagles take the lead 🦅
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
📱: Stream #PHIvsBAL on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aX9ovd8Cls
McKee's stat line from the night (six completions on 16 attempts, 39 yards passing, and a 45.8 QB rating) wasn't as impressive as Pickett's (14 completions on 22 attempts, 89 yards passing, a passing TD, and an 87.1 QB rating). Still, McKee is being discussed as the better QB following the game. How exactly is that possible?
Here's one take (and, it seems pretty common). Pickett played with a better supporting cast and proper evaluation can't be done on both until McKee is allowed to do the same.
Here's what some of the media is saying. Most is positive although some are also seeing flaws in Tanner's game.
Tanner McKee looks like he’s playing the game on fast forward in comparison to Kenny Pickett.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaPFN) August 10, 2024
McKee is almost playing a bit too fast.
Tanner McKee deserves to be evaluated with second-team support. Not getting enough help from the third-team receivers. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 10, 2024
17-play, 74-yard drive for #Eagles who take a 13-6 lead. Tanner McKee is the best third-team QB in this game, the key to winning in the preseason. TDP and Lew Nichols both solid in the running game.
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 10, 2024
Tanner McKee is better than Kenny Pickett and should be QB2 for the #Eagles https://t.co/YMoDX7Yqnm
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) August 10, 2024
Tanner “Happy Feet” McKee 😬 pic.twitter.com/2jE4ce6RNQ
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) August 10, 2024
You may also want to check out Reuben Frank's take on how McKee may have played better than his numbers indicate. That one is worth your time.
Hey, it's the preseason. More practice time will follow. More evaluations will be done. Something tells us that McKee might get those second-team reps, but we have enough film on both to keep us busy in the meantime.
Both will make the roster. Where they land on the depth chart is open for discussion, but here's where we all can agree. Tanner lacks Kenny's mobility, so the offense loses the threat of a dual-threat QB if Pickett isn't in. Still, we all hope Jalen Hurts stays healthy all season and we don't have to see either unless it's garbage time.
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