The NFL’s trade winds are swirling, and the Philadelphia Eagles, led by their shrewd general manager Howie Roseman, are once again at the epicenter of the storm. As training camp wraps up, teams across the league are taking notes from Roseman’s playbook, recognizing that the end of the preseason is prime time to shake up rosters with blockbuster deals. The Denver Broncos recently made a move that would make even Roseman nod in approval, trading 2024 seventh-round pick WR Devaughn Vele for a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 seventh. But while other teams are just catching up, the Eagles are already several steps ahead, wielding a war chest of draft picks and a knack for turning spare parts into gold.
This summer, Philadelphia has been a flurry of activity, transforming defensive lineman Thomas Booker IV and tight end Harrison Bryant into cornerback Jakoroian Bennett and wide receiver John Metchie III. With a projected 13 draft selections in 2026, the Eagles have the capital to make another splash before the roster cut-down deadline next Tuesday. Names like edge rusher Azeez Ojulari and wide receiver Ainias Smith are already swirling in trade rumors, signaling that Roseman isn’t done reshaping his roster. Yet, amid this flurry of deals, one asset stands out as untouchable—at least for now.
Enter Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ third-string quarterback who’s quickly becoming the talk of the NFL. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently suggested that the Indianapolis Colts, now grappling with a quarterback conundrum after benching former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson in favor of Daniel Jones, should come calling for McKee. The proposed return? A future second-round draft pick. It’s a tempting offer for a 2023 sixth-rounder who’s shown flashes of brilliance in preseason action, looking every bit like a legitimate NFL starter.
But here’s the rub: trading McKee now would be flirting with madness. The 25-year-old signal-caller isn’t just a backup with potential—he’s outshining several projected starters for the 2025 season. With Jalen Hurts entrenched as the Eagles’ franchise quarterback, McKee’s role as the top backup is a luxury that Philadelphia can’t afford to squander. His rookie-scale contract, which keeps him under team control through 2026 at roughly $1 million per season, is a steal for a player of his caliber. In a league where quarterback depth can make or break a season, McKee is insurance that’s worth far more than a second-round pick.
Howie Roseman has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s savviest executives, and his approach to trades is a masterclass in patience and precision. The Eagles don’t make moves just for the sake of making them—they strike when the value is right. While a second-round pick for McKee sounds enticing, it doesn’t come close to matching his long-term value. The young quarterback’s preseason performances have shown he’s not just a backup; he’s a potential starter who could command a first-round pick down the line when the timing is right.
For now, Philadelphia’s focus should be on leveraging their draft capital and roster depth to bolster other areas of the team. With Ojulari and Smith potentially on the block, Roseman has plenty of options to keep the Eagles competitive without touching their quarterback treasure. McKee’s time as an NFL starter will come, and when it does, Roseman will likely orchestrate a deal that maximizes his value. But that time isn’t now.
The Colts’ quarterback situation may be desperate, but that’s their problem, not Philadelphia’s. Trading McKee for anything less than a king’s ransom would be a rare misstep for Roseman, who’s made a career out of staying one step ahead of the competition. McKee’s upside, affordability, and role as Hurts’ safety net make him a cornerstone of the Eagles’ 2025 plans, even if he’s not taking snaps on Sundays just yet.