Nick Sirianni Addresses Eagles' Backup QB Situation Ahead of NFC Championship
A ticket to Super Bowl LIX will be on the line when the Philadelphia Eagles host the rival Washington Commanders for Sunday's NFC Championship Game.
One of the Eagles' biggest concerns ahead of the pivotal clash is Jalen Hurts' health. The dual-threat quarterback suffered in a knee injury during Philadelphia's 28-22 win over the LA Rams in the Division Round, leaving his outlook up in the air before the Commanders come to town.
On Monday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni discussed Hurts' status for Sunday, as well as his plans if the 26-year-old QB can't suit up for the NFC Championship Game.
Eagles News: Sirianni Discusses QB Plans for NFC Championship Game
Kenny Picket has served as the Eagles' backup QB in the first two playoff rounds. Despite Sirianni loving how third-string QB Tanner McKee has looked under center, it doesn't look like anything will change in the NFC Championship Game.
"Kenny played really well when he was in, and Tanner played really well when he was in," Sirianni said, per PHLY's Zach Berman. "Makes you have tough decisions, and that's a good thing to have."
"But the entire year, Kenny was our backup. When he played, I thought he did a really nice job and put us in positions to win games."
Nick Sirianni on the decision to keep Kenny Pickett as the backup quarterback in the playoffs: "Kenny played really well when he was in, and Tanner played really well when he was in. Makes you have tough decisions, and that's a good thing to have.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 21, 2025
"But the entire year, Kenny was…
The Eagles sent three draft picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers last March to acquire Pickett. The former 2022 first-rounder went on to make five appearances (1 start) in his first season in Philadelphia, completing 59.5% of passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns to one interception and an 86.5 passer rating.
That's without mentioning how Pickett led the Eagles to a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys in his only start of the campaign in Week 17. In other words, it isn't too shocking that Sirianni wants to roll with the 26-year-old as his QB2 again.
At the same time, it isn't as if the Eagles would be hopeless if McKee was forced to see action. The ex-Stanford gunslinger finally saw action in Philadelphia's final two regular-season games, going 30-of-45 (66.7%) in the pocket for 323 passing yards, four TDs, and two INTs.
The Eagles are fortunate enough to have two solid backup QB options but let's hope neither takes to the field on Sunday. A healthy Hurts gives Sirianni & Co. their best shot at reaching Super Bowl LIX, especially when he has seven postseason games under his belt compared to McKee and Pickett, who combine for zero.
Even though Hurts is banged up, Philadelphia's outlook is promising. FanDuel Sportsbook is currently listing the Eagles as the 6.5-point favorites to advance to the Super Bowl this weekend.
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