QB battle percolating in Philly, and Jalen Hurts is just a spectator

Ryan OLeary

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QB battle percolating in Philly, and Jalen Hurts is just a spectator image

There’s no stopping the Tanner McKee hype train after this one.

The third-string quarterback led a go-ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, and the Philadelphia Eagles improved to 2-0 in the preseason with a 14-13 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

McKee, who’s been behind the newly acquired Kenny Pickett on the depth chart throughout training camp, made his best case to be Jalen Hurts’ backup, completing 15 of his 19 passes for 140 yards, all in the second half. He led a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive to pull the Eagles within a point, 13-12, with 4:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, and put the Eagles ahead to stay with a successful two-point conversion pass to Ainias Smith.

Was the performance enough to spark a real competition between McKee and Pickett entering the final week of the preseason?

“That’s not my decision,” McKee said. “I wish it was, but I’m just ready to go out and play whenever they call my name.”

McKee was solid on Thursday night. He didn’t take a sack and threw an extremely accurate ball, routinely connecting with tight end E.J. Jenkins and rookie receiver Joseph Ngata. It was a 28-yard deep ball to Ngata that set the Eagles up inside the Patriots 5 yard line and led to the game-winning score.

Pickett’s night, on the other hand, was dreadful. He was constantly pressured, sacked four times and managed to lead just one scoring drive, a field goal, in his five first-half possessions.

Head coach Nick Sirianni downplayed any controversy at No. 2 quarterback, reiterating after the game that Pickett is the guy. But another outing like Thursday, this time in the home preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, would speak volumes, likely in more ways than one from the Philly faithful.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

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Would the Eagles consider a trade with the QB-needy Vikings?

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.