The Indianapolis Colts are staring down a quarterback crisis, and the clock is ticking. With a lackluster 8-9 season in the rearview mirror, head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are under intense scrutiny to deliver results—or face the chopping block. The team’s current quarterback tandem of Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson has failed to inspire confidence, and the media is sharpening its knives.
Daniel Jones, signed to a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason, has been exactly what fans expected from the former sixth-overall pick of the New York Giants: inconsistent at best. Anthony Richardson, the fourth-overall pick in 2023, has struggled to shake off his well-documented issues, from limited college starts to questionable decision-making at the line of scrimmage. In the Colts’ first preseason game, Richardson suffered a dislocated pinky after a brutal hit from Ravens linebacker David Ojabo, forcing him out of the game. Jones, stepping in, managed a pedestrian 10-of-21 for 144 scoreless yards against Baltimore’s backups. Both quarterbacks are playing far below expectations, looking more like undrafted free agents than top draft picks.
Fox Sports host Jason McIntyre didn’t mince words: “You better get your Canadian passport because you’re gonna be playing in the CFL pretty soon,” he said of Richardson. He went further, questioning whether the young quarterback has the mental acuity for the NFL: “If you do not think Richardson has the chops to be an NFL QB, he didn’t start enough games in college, he can’t make the reads at the line of scrimmage… then you think Anthony Richardson is done.”
The Colts’ brass can’t afford to sit idly by. Steichen and Ballard need a spark to prove the franchise is on the right track, and they might just find it in an unlikely place: Philadelphia’s backup quarterback, Tanner McKee.
While the Colts flounder, the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, are quietly showcasing a quarterback who could be the answer to Indianapolis’ prayers. Tanner McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford, has been turning heads in the preseason. In a recent win over the Cincinnati Bengals, McKee was nearly flawless, completing 20-of-25 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and even adding a score on the Eagles’ signature Tush Push play. His limited regular-season action in 2024—two games—showed similar promise, with no bad outings to his name.
McKee’s sample size may be small, but it’s compelling. He’s performed consistently well in both preseason and regular-season action, all while learning behind Jalen Hurts on a championship-caliber team. Plus, he’s still on a rookie contract for two more years, making him an affordable, high-upside option for a team desperate for stability at the quarterback position.
The Colts’ quarterback situation is dire. Jones is a known quantity—reliable enough to hold the fort but not a franchise-changer. Richardson’s potential remains tantalizing, but his inability to stay healthy or make quick reads has raised red flags. Steichen and Ballard are on borrowed time, and a bold move could be the difference between keeping their jobs and packing their bags.
Enter Tanner McKee. The Colts have a unique advantage in pursuing him, thanks to the strong ties between their coaching staff and the Eagles. Steichen, a former Eagles offensive coordinator, and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni share a history that could facilitate trade discussions. While the Eagles might not be actively shopping McKee, Colts GM Chris Ballard should be burning up the phone lines to Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman, starting with a 215 area code.
What would it take to pry McKee away? The Eagles, sitting pretty with Jalen Hurts as their starter, might be open to a deal, but it won’t come cheap. A future first-round pick could be the asking price, especially given McKee’s upside and the Eagles’ knack for extracting maximum value in trades. For Indianapolis, the gamble makes sense. If McKee pans out, the Colts secure a young, cost-controlled quarterback who could anchor the franchise for years—and save Steichen and Ballard’s jobs. If it doesn’t work out, the missing draft capital becomes the next regime’s problem, and the Colts’ leadership was likely on the way out anyway.
The Colts could explore other options, like Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins, but McKee is a far better fit. Cousins, at 37, is a short-term fix with a hefty price tag, while McKee offers youth, upside, and affordability. The Colts’ previous trade for a Philly quarterback—Carson Wentz in 2021—left a sour taste, but McKee’s situation is different. He’s unproven but untarnished, with a clean slate and a track record of efficiency.
The Colts are at a crossroads. Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson have yet to prove they can lead the team to wins, let alone a playoff berth. Meanwhile, Tanner McKee is quietly building a case as the NFL’s next breakout quarterback, and he’s stuck behind a superstar in Philadelphia. For Steichen and Ballard, the choice is clear: make a bold move for McKee now, or risk watching their tenure in Indianapolis end in disappointment. A future first-rounder might sting, but the potential reward—a franchise quarterback and job security—is worth the price.