The New York Jets need a quarterback. While there are plenty of options out there, Tanner McKee could wind up in New York this offseason.
The Jets hold the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They were expected to use that pick on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. However, he announced that he’s staying in school.
With that said, the Jets could hold out until next offseason to draft a first-round quarterback. NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah pointed out that the Jets could now trade for McKee, who could serve as a bridge quarterback.
“(If you’re the Jets), you’re not taking a quarterback at two or 16, in my opinion,”Jeremiah recently explained in a conference call with NFL Media. “If you want to take a flyer at 33 or 44, I don’t even love that to be honest. With Frank Reich, (hired as the Jets offensive coordinator), I thought about Tanner McKee with the Eagles — what would that cost?”
McKee is currently a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Jets traded for the former Stanford star.
The Jets Could Trade for Backup Quarterback Tanner McKee
His Career Thus Far
Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (10) throws a pass under pressure form Cleveland Browns defensive end Chuck Wiley (59) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Tanner McKee starred at Centennial High School in Corona, California. He later committed to play college football at Stanford University. McKee wound up playing three seasons with the Cardinals, passing for 5,336 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Eagles then selected McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Backing up starter Jalen Hurts, he has played in six career games, starting two.
McKee started a contest in 2024 against the New York Giants. He threw two touchdowns and zero interceptions in that game. Then this past season, McKee started against the Washington Commanders in Week 18. In that contest, he completed 52.5% of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown with one interception.
Should the Jets Trade for Tanner McKee?
Again, the Jets really need a quarterback. Last offseason, they signed Justin Fields, hoping he’d emerge as a star. However, that wasn’t the case. Fields struggled and was benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who started four games in 2025, wasn’t the answer either.
As noted earlier, the Jets might wait until 2027 to draft their quarterback of the future. Someone like Texas’ Arch Manning could be the guy.
In the meantime, it makes sense to trade for Tanner McKee. He could be a great bridge quarterback in 2026. There isn’t a ton of tape on McKee, but he played well when he stepped on the field with the Eagles. He has completed 61.4% of his passes for 597 yards and five touchdowns.
What would it take to land McKee? Perhaps either a 2026 third-round or fourth-round pick would get the job done. If so, that’s not much to give up for a quarterback who has a ton of potential.
Main Image: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images