Eagles’ Tanner McKee’s strong performance stirs Kenny Pickett controversy

From a starting quarterback gig to a potential backup battle.

Kenny Pickett’s Eagles career is off to an inauspicious start after third-stringer Tanner McKee outplayed him in the team’s second preseason game Thursday against the Patriots.

McKee completed 15-of-19 passes for 140 yards and led the game-winning touchdown drive, while Pickett completed 11-of-13 passes for 67 yards and took four sacks in the 14-13 win.

These performances come on the heels of McKee receiving some second-string reps over the former Steelers starter in practice, according to the Delaware News Journal.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni sidestepped a question about whether there’s a competition after the game but did affirm Pickett is ahead on the depth cart.

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“You saw where they went in today,” Sirianni said. “Kenny is our No. 2, Tanner is our No. 3, and I’m really happy that both of those guys are on the roster.”

Pickett entered the NFL as the Steelers’ heir apparent at the position after the Ben Roethlisberger era, but his first two seasons produced middling statistics.

The 2022 first-round pick struggled to stay healthy and tossed just 13 touchdowns, along with 13 interceptions, and the Steelers played better without him at times.

Pittsburgh opted to move on this offseason, signing Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and acquiring Justin Fields, while sending Pickett to the Eagles to be the backup to Jalen Hurts.

That Pickett started this game showed he’s the leader for the backup role, and it would be quite the upset for him to be the No. 3, but that doesn’t mean he’s untouchable.

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The Eagles sent the Steelers a third-round pick and two seventh-round selections in exchange for Pickett and a fourth-rounder.

Pickett led just one field goal drive and averaged just 5.2 yards per completion Thursday, although Siranni noted he faced pressure.

By virtue of starting, Pickett faced New England’s better defensive players on the night.

He also took a sack on a fourth-and-8 play.

Pickett seemed to dismiss the idea of being in a battle when asked about the competition.

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The 26-year-old did outplay McKee in the Eagles’ first preseason game against the Ravens, completing 14-of-22 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown compared to McKee’s 6-of-16 showing for 39 yards.

“Mixing groups up and letting guys play with different groups,” Pickett said. “I’m just taking it a day at a time, continuing to put good tape out there, continuing to play well and progress with the offense.”

McKee took over in the second half and the NBC Philadelphia crew noted how McKee played with second-stringers during the game, which could have signified that Sirianni wanted to see how he fared with that unit, and he averaged 7.4 yards per completion.

“Tanner made some really nice throws down the field today with some good anticipation,” Sirianni said of McKee, who was a sixth-round pick out of Stanford in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Eagles have one more preseason game before finalizing who will be their backup quarterback when they open the season in Brazil against the Packers.

“I thought they both did good things today,” Sirianni said. “Kenny was what, 11-of-13 and ball only hit the ground twice? He had some pressure on him. Tanner played well … He made some good throws.”

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