The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at opposite ends of the quarterback spectrum, in addition to being on opposite ends of Pennsylvania. But that contrast is exactly what makes a Tanner McKee cross-state trade make sense.
For Philadelphia, it’s about maximizing value from a developmental asset. For Pittsburgh, it’s about finally injecting upside into a stagnant quarterback room without overcommitting resources. The two teams that call the Keystone State home may be perfect trade partners for each other.
Why The Eagles Would Pull The Trigger
The Eagles are operating from a position of clarity at quarterback. Despite his struggles this season, Jalen Hurts is locked in as the franchise centerpiece, and Philadelphia has historically viewed the backup quarterback position as flexible and replaceable rather than sacred.
McKee has shown enough in practice and limited game action to intrigue teams around the NFL. He went 30-of-45 through the air for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in two games of extended action last season.
McKee also had a great showing in the 2025 preseason opener against the Bengals, a 34-27 win for the Super Bowl Champions. He completed 20 of 25 pass attempts for 252 yards and three touchdowns, showing off his accuracy and ability to throw the deep ball as he connected with seven different receivers.
His size, arm talent, and comfort within structure have helped boost his value—but his path to meaningful snaps in Philadelphia remains blocked. If the Eagles don’t view McKee as a future starter, flipping him for a Day 2 pick is exactly the type of value play Howie Roseman has made a career executing.
That pick could immediately be used to add depth on the offensive or defensive lines, add an underrated skill player at a bargain, or be packaged to help the Eagles move up the draft board. Rather than holding a quarterback who may never see the field in meaningful action, Philadelphia would be converting surplus into flexibility—an organizational staple.
Why the Steelers Would Bet on McKee
The Steelers have spent the past few seasons searching for stability under center and coming up short. Stopgap solutions and stalled development have kept an otherwise competitive roster from reaching its ceiling.
Although Pittsburgh is currently 8-6 and first in the AFC North behind some solid quarterback play from Aaron Rodgers, there is no guarantee that the 42-year-old quarterback will return next season. At his age, Rodgers is also more injury-prone, which could warrant the Steelers to look for some quality insurance.
McKee represents a calculated swing. At 6-foot-6 with a strong arm and pocket-oriented skill set, he fits what Pittsburgh has traditionally valued at the position. He wouldn’t need to be rushed into the lineup, but he would immediately challenge for snaps and provide legitimate upside.
A second or third round pick is a manageable price for a quarterback who still has room to grow. If McKee develops, Pittsburgh finds a long-term answer without spending a first-round pick or committing veteran money. If he doesn’t, the cost doesn’t cripple their plans.
For a franchise stuck between contending and resetting, this is the kind of low-risk move that could quietly reshape the Steelers’ quarterback outlook. Pittsburgh will be unlikely to be able to draft a top-tier talent, and they also may not have a ton of cap space after several high-profile acquisitions and extensions this past offseason, including DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt.
Tanner McKee seems destined to be traded this offseason, as he has starting potential but will not be given that opportunity in Philadelphia. Their counterparts in Western Pennsylvania may be the best fit for him, as the Steelers will need a low-cost and reliable quarterback beyond Rodgers.
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