5 Most Likely Marcus Mariota Replacements as Jalen Hurts' Backup

1. Tanner McKee

When it comes to offseason speculation, fans can sometimes get caught up in what is fun and novel. But often the most likely option is an unremarkable one. And that's the case here, with the Eagles likely rolling with an internal candidate as their backup QB.

Tanner McKee impressed in the preseason last year, soundly crushing Ian Book in the training camp battle for the QB3 role. And honestly, in the preseason he looked like he was a better QB2 option than Mariota as well.

We didn't get to see the 2023 sixth-round pick take any snaps in regular season action, but he threw for 453 yards across three appearances, and Pro Football Focus gave him a 73.9 overall grade. Mariota only managed a 46.0 grade, and even in his last season as a starter was given a 66.3 grade.

McKee is still under contract through 2026, and that potential of having a consistent long-term backup quarterback option on a team-friendly rookie contract makes him well worth devoting time and effort into.

He shouldn't get the job without some competition, and he may have to go through a training camp battle with one of the other names on this list, but McKee has already shown some potential when given the chance and his contract and familiarity with his Eagles teammates could be the difference-makers that push him over the edge.

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