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Nick Sirianni Dodges Eagles QB Question Ahead of Wild Card Round

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni refused to elaborate on who will be the team's No. 2 QB for the NFC Wild Card Round.

By Devon Platana

Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni watches game action against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni watches game action against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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The Philadelphia Eagles are back in the NFL playoffs are their road toward Super Bowl LIX begins with Sunday's Wild Card collision with the Green Bay Packers.

As with all playoff-bound teams, the Eagles are facing several questions this postseason. One of the biggest concerns is who'll be the team's No. 2 quarterback against the Packers. With QB1 Jalen Hurts not exactly playing at 100% right now, head coach Nick Sirianni must make the correct decision regarding the former's backup insurance policy his weekend.

Eagles News: Nick Sirianni Avoids Addressing Backup QB Concerns

After backup QBs Tanner McKee and Kenny Pickett both saw action this season, Sirianni was asked about who will be backing up Hurts on Sunday. Instead of giving a concrete answer, the 43-year-old head coach decided to take a vague approach.

"We got a lot of confidence in both of the guys," Sirianni told reporters on Monday, per Eagles insider Zach Berman. "When Kenny's had to play, he's played really well. When Tanner's had to play, he's played really well... We just have a great room."

Sirianni's answer was pretty much a, well, non-answer.

He gave matching assessments to both of his backup QBs, potentially as a way to not hurt either player's feelings. It could also be that he's keeping quiet to avoid giving the Packers any sort of competitive advantage in case there's a legitimate possibility that Hurts can't suit up for the postseason opener.

Regardless of what was going through Sirianni's mind, one thing is clear: going with McKee over Pickett as the QB2 is the right call.

Pickett, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, immediately underwhelmed under center after Hurts became injured against the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Playing 106 offensive snaps since then, Pickett only went 24-of-39 (61.5%) in the pocket for 286 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Meanwhile, McKee has shown much more promise since Hurts' injury. The ex-Stanford signal-caller has completed 30-of-45 (66.7%) passing attempts since Week 17, registering 323 yards while throwing four TDs without a pick. Even if he doesn't have Pickett's draft pedigree, McKee is the clear-cut more reliable backup option at this stage.

More will be revealed about Philadelphia's backup QB situation as the week goes on. The Eagles won't practice again until Wednesday, giving Sirianni more than enough time to sort out the situation.

For now, the Eagles will head into the Wild Card Round as the 4.5-point home favorites over the Packers, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

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