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3 Long-Shots Who Will Make the Eagles Roster

By Devon Platana

Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (10) reacts to a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (10) reacts to a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL preseason is flying by, leaving the Eagles less than a month away from the regular season’s start. Philadelphia’s 53-man roster is beginning to take shape, leaving the fanbase excited to see if the team eventually capitalizes on its +800 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII (No. 2), per FanDuel Sportsbook.

With just one final preseason matchup remaining, there isn’t a lot of time for fringe players to prove why they should be on the Eagles’ roster. While some will have their NFL dreams crushed, other long-shots will prove their doubters wrong by earning one of the coveted spots.

Keeping that in mind, here are three long-shots who will make the Eagles’ 2023 roster.

3 Eagles Long-Shots Who Will Make Roster

1. Tanner McKee

Expectations weren’t too high for quarterback Tanner McKee when the Eagles selected him in the sixth round back in April. While he was solid during his time at Stanford, nothing gave off an indication that he’d crack this year’s final roster.

McKee’s path to the NFL was also muddied by Philly signing veteran QB Marcus Mariota to a one-year, $5 million deal in free agency. At the time, the former Heisman Trophy winner appeared to be a lock for Jalen Hurts’ backup due to his 74 career starts as a pro.

Fast forward to August, however, and Eagles fans aren’t thrilled by the idea of Mariota as the QB2. He’s looked awful in two preseason starts, completing just 57.1% of his passes (16-of-28) for 144 yards and 1 interception while being sacked four times.

On the flip side, McKee has stepped up when his name’s been called upon. While his 52.5% completion rate (20-of-38) isn’t special, he’s still thrown for 295 passing yards and a touchdown without an interception.

Rolling with McKee over Mariota also makes sense considering that the Eagles can save just over $1.1 million in cap space by trading the veteran gunslinger to a QB-needy team, per Spotrac.

At the same time, Philly could opt to keep Marioa due to his experience. Even if that’s the case, I still see the rookie landing the No. 3 job over Ian Book, who hasn’t looked like anything special.

As long as McKee doesn’t have a complete dud in the preseason finale, I expect to see his name as the QB2/3 on the depth chart once Week 1 comes around.

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