Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee embracing Eagles backup QB battle – NBC Sports Philadelphia

As quarterback competitions go, this one is about as boring as it gets.

Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are competing for the Eagles’ backup quarterback spot this summer, but it’s the kind of competition where they’re both rooting for each other, they’re both helping each other and they’re both respectful of each other.

Trash talking? Nope. Snarky passive aggressive comments about each other? Not going to happen. Choosing not to help the other one out? Not a chance.

Friendliest competition ever.

Bor-ing.

Dalton, the 16^th-year veteran, and McKee, in his fourth season, are splitting reps with the second offense in what seems from the outside like a random pattern. But they’re both getting a chance to work with the second group and so far they’ve both looked good, with Dalton probably getting a small edge in production through five days of practice.

“It’s been good,” Dalton said. “I think for both of us getting in there, we’re splitting reps and kind of don’t know exactly when we’re going to be going in, which fits the role of the backup. I think it’s been good for both of us. Both getting a chance to be out there with the 2’s and next day, we’ll be with the 3’s.

“Right now, we’re just trying to put the offense together and make sure that it’s all moving in the same direction.”

McKee was the No. 3 behind Marcus Mariota as a rookie in 2023 and Kenny Pickett in 2024 before graduating to Jalen Hurts’ backup last year.

The Eagles acquired Dalton from the Panthers for a 7^th-round pick in March, and McKee and Dalton have been battling ever since.

“The first couple days (we were) trying to figure out when it’s going to be our turn, when are we in, when not, and now at this point it’s like just let me know when I’m going in,” Dalton said. “I was joking with Tanner. I was like, ‘This is just real life right here. You don’t know when you’re going to be going in.

“I think it’s a good thing. When you don’t know when you’re going in, you’ve got to be ready for all of it. So I think it only makes you better.”

Dalton, 38, made Pro Bowls after the 2011, 2014 and 2016 seasons with the Bengals but hasn’t been a full-time starter sine 2022, when he went 6-8 with the Saints. He’s started just seven games the last three years, going 1-6. His 39,793 career passing yards are 7^th-most among active quarterbacks.

McKee, 26, is 1-1 in his two career starts. He was in sixth grade back in Corona, Calif., when Dalton was a rookie with the Bengals.

“Tanner’s been great,” Dalton said. “You can tell the confidence that he has in playing. He’s smart. He understands exactly what we’re trying to do. And so I’ve been impressed with Tanner. It’s been fun. 

“The approach I’ve taken is just do nothing but support and kind of build up (the other quarterbacks), especially on the sideline. Just be a sounding board. Whenever they need to let something out, you know, just be there to be able to listen and give the best advice you can.”

Like Dalton, McKee has been up and down the first week of practice, but he’s been up more than down, and he’s taken his semi-demotion like a pro. As you’d expect.

“It’s the NFL,” he said. “You’ve got to compete for a job. That’s nothing new being here, and nothing new I would say being in the NFL. And so every year, I think you’re going to have to compete and earn your spot. 

“As an athlete, you have to love competition, you have to love to compete. And so when Howie (Roseman) told me the news, I was excited. It’s another opportunity. Andy’s a great guy. I can learn a ton from him, especially with the new offense.”

McKee said the Dalton trade didn’t surprise him. He’s in his fourth season and he’s seen enough to understand this is a business and Roseman is going to constantly try to upgrade the roster.

“I don’t think you can be surprised whenever they bring in somebody or there’s competition,” he said. “It’s the NFL and there’s always going to be competition.

“They’re trying to improve the roster every year, and so anybody that they can bring in to make you compete or make you earn your spot, that’s definitely what everybody wants. And for a player, it’s great. It is great to have somebody to push you and to make you better, and the stakes in practice are a little bit higher, and so it makes it fun.”

And he’s smart enough to know that being around a guy who’s started 169 NFL games and thrown 254 touchdowns can only benefit him.

Plus, Dalton has played in this offense, under former Sean McVay assistant Zac Taylor in Cincinnati. So he has a comfort level and a lot of tips he’s happy to share.

“He’s been in a very similar offense,” McKee said. “Just seeing how he reads things, how he approaches things (helps). He’s obviously been in the NFL for quite some time, and so it’s great kind of picking his brain with, especially with the new offense.”