The Philadelphia Eagles have an NFC East contest against the Washington Commanders in Week 18 to close out the regular season. After going back and forth, the Eagles decided they would rest most starters in this game, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Head coach Nick Sirianni liked the advantage of having another bye week heading into the playoffs, which is huge considering Philadelphia has already secured a playoff spot. Despite the Eagles resting multiple guys, this creates a massive opportunity for quarterback Tanner McKee.
He'll be starting in the season finale for the second straight year and gets a chance to display what he can do as the starter. Teams around the league are always looking to upgrade the quarterback position, and McKee has a shot to put out good film to build his resume.
Tanner McKee Has Chance to Build Starting Case in Week 18
In the 2024 finale against the New York Giants, McKee led the Eagles to a 20-13 win. In the outing, he played well, going 27-of-41 for 269 yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Throughout his Eagles tenure, he has looked comfortable and confident whenever he's needed to step up.
In five career games with Philadelphia, McKee has completed 33-of-48 throws for 356 passing yards and four touchdowns. Obviously, that's a small sample size, but McKee can play in this league. Typically, QBs who aren't ready look lost when they have to play, and that isn't the case here.
Most Eagles fans who have seen McKee play have only done so in the preseason, where he has logged 999 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in seven preseason outings. Yet the consensus among Eagles fans is they have a ton of confidence in McKee if his number is called.
And with a weaker 2026 QB draft class, teams may be willing to make a swing on McKee. Green Bay Packers signal-caller Malik Willis will be the most interesting name on the free agent market this offseason, highlighting how bare things will be there. Fernando Mendoza of Indiana is the presumed top QB in the 2026 draft, with guys like Dante Moore of Oregon and Ty Simpson of Alabama having yet to declare.
The options at QB are looking scarce for teams that are in the market for one, which is something else that works in favor of McKee and the Eagles. Entering Week 18, Washington ranks 31st in total defense (388.8), 28th in pass defense (243.4), and 27th in scoring defense (27.1).
There will be chances for McKee to carve this defense, and if he does, it'll only increase his value around the league. At the same time, having a valuable QB2 is massive, as you never know when your starting QB can suffer an injury.
McKee still has one more year left on his deal. So the Eagles could keep him around for next season and allow him to hit free agency in 2027. Hitting the open market with another year of good film and learning from this staff could set him up for a payday of at least $10 million plus.
Nonetheless, it doesn't seem like McKee will be in Philly long term, and Week 18 will give him yet another chance to build his case to be a starting QB elsewhere.