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Backup QB Tanner McKee Shines in Eagles Preseason Debut vs. Bengals

The former Stanford QB had a night for himself.

Mike Kadlick

Tanner McKee shined in Philly's preseason debut on Thursday.
Tanner McKee shined in Philly's preseason debut on Thursday. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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It was the Tanner McKee show in Philadelphia on Thursday night.

The backup quarterback, playing in place of reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts as he rests for the regular season, took the reins under center for the Eagles in their preseason debut, leading them to 27 points over their first six offensive drives. He finished the night 20 of 25 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground in classic Tush Push fashion.

Here's a look at his three touchdowns, which all came in the first half:

McKee, 25, was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft and has spent his first two-plus seasons in Philly. With Kenny Pickett traded to the Browns this offseason, the former Stanford Cardinal quarterback enters 2025 with the inside track to the team's permanent backup job.

McKee has since been pulled from the game as the Eagles lead Cincy 27–17. Fellow signal callers Dorian Thompson-Robinson and rookie Kyle McCord will likely quarterback the rest of the way, giving themselves a chance to punch back in the competition.

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Mike Kadlick
MIKE KADLICK

Mike Kadlick is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the New England Patriots for WEEI sports radio in Boston and continues to do so for CLNS Media. He has a master's in public relations from Boston University. Kadlick is also an avid runner and a proud lover of all things pizza.

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