‘Big Time Rebuild’ in AFC East Could Feature 6-foot-6 Eagles Backup QB
The Philadelphia Eagles have a certain ethos when it comes to backup quarterbacks that lands along the lines of “The More the Merrier” and it’s hard to argue with the results.
The Eagles have drafted and traded for potential quarterbacks with seemingly reckless abandon in recent years and come away with some gems, and none more than 2023 sixth round pick Tanner McKee, who shined in place of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts when Hurts missed most of the final 3 games of the 2024 regular season with a concussion.
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia thinks the Eagles might have a bargaining chip in McKee, who might entice a team in the middle of a massive rebuild — specifically the New York Jets — to cut a deal with Philly to obtain his services.
The Jets are coming off a fire sale before the NFL trade deadline that signaled a massive rebuild under first year head coach Aaron Glenn. The Jets now possess 5 first round picks over the next 2 seasons — 2 first rounders in 2026 and 3 first rounders in 2027.
With current starter Justin Fields not exactly getting the job done in the first year of a 2-year, $40 million contract, the Jets might want to upgrade at the position in 2026.
The 1-7 Jets have the longest postseason drought of any team across the 4 North American professional sports leagues — they haven’t been to the playoffs since losing in the AFC Championship Game following the 2010 season.
McKee could very well be a stopgap starter in 2026. If he shows he can handle the load moving forward, it could allow the Jets to spend those picks in other ways than drafting a quarterback.
“I was thinking a couple of things here, and one of them is Tanner McKee, because I was trying to look at backups and you say, is there a backup here (who could be a starter)?” Kapadia said on The Ringer NFL Show on Thursday, November 6. “I’m a huge Tanner McKee fan. I think it could be done. They’re in line for a big time rebuild. he could be the guy.”
McKee’s Trade Value Could Be High
Depending on how desperate the Jets or some other QB needy team might get, the value of McKee might be surprising if the Eagles open themselves up to trades.
McKee still has one year left on the 4-year, $4.02 million contract he signed with the Eagles after they drafted him in the sixth round (No. 188 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft out of Stanford.
That means a deal could be made that might get the Eagles back a third round pick or fourth round pick or possibly a pair of late round picks back in exchange for McKee.
From Bleeding Green Nation in June 2025: “Now, if McKee plays well in the preseason, (general manager) Howie Roseman is going to get trade offers for McKee. He probably already has. And if someone offers a 1st-round pick you take it. You just do. But I wouldn’t expect that to happen. A 3rd-round pick, no way. Not enough. The question is would you take a 2nd-rounder for McKee, and I would really be reluctant … There’s no doubt in my mind McKee can be a plus NFL starter, and he’ll probably get that opportunity if he hits free agency after the 2026 season. But right now, the Eagles need him more than they need more picks.”
BREAKING: Jerome Ford to Demand Trade from Browns After Frustrating Lack of Role—Social Media Posts Expose Growing Tensions
Since the passing of the trade deadline several players who were mentioned in rumors, such as Wyatt Teller and David Njoku, made it clear they were excited to continue their careers in Cleveland. However, not everyone felt the same way.
Jerome Ford has seen his role decrease throughout the course of the season. It seems he was hoping for a fresh start at the deadline, being mentioned in plenty of trade rumors. Instead, the Browns kept Ford, keeping him in Cleveland until the end of the season.
Ford hasn’t said anything regarding it yet, but fans noticed his frustration based on his TikTok activity. Ford reposted two videos about being unhappy at work, including one that was titled “I chronically do not care about my job.”
At the beginning of the season, Ford competed with Dylan Sampson to be the opening day starter. Sampson outplayed Ford in the game, finishing with more yards and carries.
Then came Quinshon Judkins, the rookie running back sensation that the Browns were hoping to build around, finally began playing. He immediately proved to be the best player in Cleveland’s backfield, locking up the starting job.
Since then, it’s been hard for Ford to find time on the field. He’s carried the ball just 21 times this year for 73 yards. His best game rushing came in week two where he carried the ball six times for 31 yards.
Where Ford has continued to prove value is in the passing game. He has been Cleveland’s go-to back in third-and-long situations (which the Browns end up in plenty). He is an above average pass blocker, and has been a safe checkdown back.
Ford has caught 21 passes for 76 yards, though only two of those catches gave Cleveland a first down.
In the Browns most recent game against the New England Patriots, Sampson began taking more reps in the third-and-long situations. He caught five passes for 29 yards, and has 133 receiving yards this season.
Ford has been in Cleveland since the 2022 season. He was needed to replace Nick Chubb as he dealt with his heartbreaking injury in 2023. Ford was productive in that time, but never a game-changer.
Ford averaged 4.4 yards per carry over those two seasons, rushing for 1,378 yards.
During the week leading up to the trade deadline, expectations were high for the Browns to be productive. Many thought they would be sellers, cutting loose some of the upcoming free agents. Others thought they’d be buyers, bringing in a new high-caliber wide receiver.
Instead, the Browns were quiet. They made just one trade, shipping Joe Tyron-Shoyinka out for a sixth-round draft pick.
Now the Browns and Ford will have to finish out the season with what appears to be a rocky relationship. Ford will be a free agent at the end of the season, while Judkins and Sampson appear to be the future of Cleveland’s backfield.
