The Philadelphia Eagles soared to a Super Bowl LIX championship last season, but as they gear up for their 2025 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 4, a shadow looms over their quarterback depth chart. Tanner McKee, the third-year Stanford product poised to take over as Jalen Hurts’ backup, suffered a finger injury on his throwing hand during practice this week. What should have been a seamless transition into the QB2 role has now become a pressing concern for a team that prides itself on precision and preparedness.
During the Eagles’ 19-17 preseason finale win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, all eyes—and binoculars—were trained on McKee’s right hand. The backup quarterback, who had already proven his worth as the heir to Kenny Pickett’s role, kept his injured hand tucked inside his hoodie all evening. He avoided using it entirely, even skipping the post-game buffet as reporters clamored for locker room access. The optics were far from reassuring, and with the season opener just around the corner, the Eagles are staring down a potential QB2 crisis.
While the injury doesn’t require surgery and long-term concerns are minimal, McKee’s availability for Week 1 remains in doubt. Head coach Nick Sirianni, typically tight-lipped about injuries, offered little clarity when pressed about McKee’s status. “We’ll see, you know, he’s dealing with a finger, and he’s working to get back,” Sirianni said, his noncommittal tone hinting at a situation that’s far from resolved. His refusal to dismiss the possibility of McKee missing the opener only amplified the unease.
The Eagles’ depth behind Hurts is thin, and the preseason finale did little to inspire confidence in the alternatives. Rookie Kyle McCord, a sixth-round pick in April, took the reins for the entire game against the Jets, but his performance was underwhelming. Completing just 15 of 35 passes for 136 yards, McCord threw a costly interception into double coverage, targeting undrafted rookie Darius Cooper. Reflecting on the play, McCord admitted his mistake: “It was too aggressive of a decision. I probably should have come off that read and dropped my eyes to [John] Metchie, who was open. That’s on nobody but the quarterback.”
Despite the rocky outing, McCord remained optimistic about his growth. “Constant growth every day,” he said. “Some days aren’t as good as others, but you have to learn from those and get better. As a younger guy in this league, that’s all you can ask for.” While his mindset is commendable, the Eagles need more than potential—they need a reliable backup, and McCord’s inexperience was laid bare.
The other option, veteran Dorian Thompson-Robinson, is equally unready to step into the QB2 role. With neither McCord nor Thompson-Robinson prepared to handle the pressure of backing up Hurts, the Eagles face a precarious situation as they head into a high-stakes rivalry game against Dallas.
The Eagles’ offseason plan was clear: elevate McKee to QB2 after trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns in March. McKee’s steady development and familiarity with the system made him the ideal candidate to support Hurts, a durable starter who rarely misses time. But injuries, as the NFL often reminds us, can derail even the best-laid plans. If McKee isn’t ready for Week 1, the Eagles may have to rely on Hurts staying healthy for all 60 minutes against a fierce Cowboys defense—no small gamble for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
General Manager Howie Roseman, known for his savvy roster management, will be working the phones as the August 26 roster cutdown approaches. The Eagles’ front office has a reputation for finding solutions outside the margins, but the clock is ticking. One potential lifeline could be Pickett himself, who may become available if Cleveland moves on from him. Reacquiring a familiar face could stabilize the position, but it’s a long shot that hinges on multiple moving parts.
For now, the Eagles are banking on Hurts’ durability and McKee’s recovery. The team’s depth will be tested early, and the outcome of the opener could set the tone for their season. As the binoculars shift from McKee’s hand to the field, one thing is clear: Philadelphia’s championship pedigree will be challenged by a QB2 nightmare that no one saw coming. With the Cowboys looming, the Eagles must hope their star quarterback can carry the load—or risk an early stumble in their quest to repeat as champions.