<\/p>\n
As quarterback competitions go, this one is about as boring as it gets.<\/p>\n
Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are competing for the Eagles\u2019 backup quarterback spot this summer, but it\u2019s the kind of competition where they\u2019re both rooting for each other, they\u2019re both helping each other and they\u2019re both respectful of each other.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Friendliest competition ever.<\/p>\n
Bor-ing.<\/em><\/p>\n Dalton, the 16th<\/sup>-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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been good,\u201d Dalton said. \u201cI 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\u2019s and next day, we’ll be with the 3\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, we’re just trying to put the offense together and make sure that it’s all moving in the same direction.\u201d<\/p>\n McKee was the No. 3 behind Marcus Mariota as a rookie in 2023 and Kenny Pickett in 2024 before graduating to Jalen Hurts\u2019 backup last year.<\/p>\n The Eagles acquired Dalton from the Panthers for a 7th<\/sup>-round pick in March, and McKee and Dalton have been battling ever since.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first couple days (we were) trying to figure out when it\u2019s 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,\u201d Dalton said. \u201cI was joking with Tanner. I was like, \u2018This is just real life right here. You don’t know when you’re going to be going in.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Dalton, 38, made Pro Bowls after the 2011, 2014 and 2016 seasons with the Bengals but hasn\u2019t been a full-time starter sine 2022, when he went 6-8 with the Saints. He\u2019s started just seven games the last three years, going 1-6. His 39,793 career passing yards are 7th<\/sup>-most among active quarterbacks.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cTanner’s been great,\u201d Dalton said. \u201cYou 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Like Dalton, McKee has been up and down the first week of practice, but he\u2019s been up more than down, and he\u2019s taken his semi-demotion like a pro. As you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s the NFL,\u201d he said. \u201cYou’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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n McKee said the Dalton trade didn\u2019t surprise him. He\u2019s in his fourth season and he\u2019s seen enough to understand this is a business and Roseman is going to constantly try to upgrade the roster.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think you can be surprised whenever they bring in somebody or there’s competition,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s the NFL and there’s always going to be competition.<\/p>\n \u201cThey’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.\u201d<\/p>\n And he\u2019s smart enough to know that being around a guy who\u2019s started 169 NFL games and thrown 254 touchdowns can only benefit him.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s happy to share.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s been in a very similar offense,\u201d McKee said. \u201cJust 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n