Tanner McKee Steals the Spotlight in Philadelphia Eagles 2025 Preseason Opener
The Philadelphia Eagles just dropped a preseason opener win over the Bengals, 34-27, and while it’s not the Super Bowl rematch we’ll all be waiting for, it did give fans something tasty to chew on. The storyline? Tanner McKee. Yes, the backup quarterback drafted in the sixth round in 2023 decided this was his moment to get the city buzzing. And, spoiler alert, he didn’t disappoint.
McKee’s Moment to Shine
Step aside, preseason clichés of “it’s just practice.” Watching Tanner McKee at the helm was anything but ordinary. He wasn’t out there just following the script; he was rewriting it.
McKee completed 20 of 25 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and even threw in a signature Tush Push moment to score on the ground. That stat line isn’t just solid for preseason; it’s straight-up impressive. He commanded the offense with poise, scanning the field like a veteran in front of Eagles faithful.
Key Takeaway: With Kenny Pickett now a Cleveland Brown, McKee has a legit shot at solidifying himself as the permanent backup behind Jalen Hurts. And, hey, Philly fans know better than most the importance of QB depth (like that little guy named Nick Foles, remember?).
What We Saw From the Philadelphia Eagles Overall
Sure, it wasn’t all perfect. The Eagles’ defense was steamrolled early by Joe Burrow and his gang. Look, when Burrow is throwing laser beams to Ja’Marr Chase, there’s not much you can do unless you’ve strapped on a cape. Still, after the initial hiccup, the Eagles seemed to find their footing.
The offense was far from vanilla, and given how McKee distributed the ball and kept drives alive, the supporting cast looked comfortably dangerous. Wideouts made catches in stride, the run game complemented the air attack, and McKee’s pocket presence kept things smooth.
Why Tanner McKee’s Performance Matters
We get it; preseason stats rarely translate into regular-season dominance. But here’s why Tanner McKee’s performance should matter to fans watching from their couch or chugging beers at the Linc.
- Insurance Policy: Jalen Hurts has established himself as Philly’s franchise guy, but football is physical, and injuries happen. McKee gives the Eagles a competent option to step in if needed.
- QB Depth Is Gold: Ask teams without solid backups how fun it is navigating an NFL season. McKee’s showing suggests the Eagles might just have a cushion in case of the unthinkable.
- Player Development Matters: Philly’s front office has to feel good about McKee as a developmental gem. Getting the backup reps early against a quality team matters as the season trudges on.
How Tanner and the Philadelphia Eagles Fit Together
The fit is undeniable. McKee’s patient approach, combined with the Eagles’ dynamic coaching, could make this partnership a win-win. Coach Nick Sirianni seems to know how to bring out creativity in his QBs, and McKee appears coachable and willing to evolve within Philly’s high-octane offense.
Plus, this is more than just an individual success story. The Eagles are proving that they’re not just rolling into the 2025 season banking on what worked last year. From second and third-string quarterbacks to guys trying to lock in roster spots, there’s depth across the board.
Can McKee Ride This Momentum?
The question now is whether McKee can keep this up. Preseason games might not mean much on paper, but they can launch careers or boost confidence. Fellow signal callers Dorian Thompson-Robinson and rookie Kyle McCord will challenge McKee in camp, but after staking his claim in the spotlight with this performance, McKee just made it harder for anyone to ignore him.
Eagles fans, keep an eye on this guy. Whether you’re a die-hard or just a casual viewer using the preseason as background noise, Tanner McKee just made himself worth paying attention to.
The Bigger Picture
For the Philadelphia Eagles, the preseason opener did more than introduce a fresh QB contender. It reminded us what this team is about. Depth. Competitiveness. And yes, maybe a little early-season quarterback drama just to spice things up.
One thing’s for sure, if McKee keeps cooking like this, Sirianni and the Eagles staff might have a pleasant headache on their hands. For now, though, Tanner McKee looks like he belongs, and Philly fans should feel good about where this team is headed (hint: they’re not settling for anything short of another deep postseason run).
Welcome to Philadelphia, McKee. And to the rest of the league, beware. The Eagles aren’t just about their starters; they’re building a roster with plenty of game-ready players. This is preseason football, Philly style. 🦅
