Philadelphia Eagles QB Tanner McKee should be a target for the Indianapolis Colts.
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Philadelphia Eagles QB Tanner McKee should be a target for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Indianapolis Colts have a quarterback problem. Some will say that critics are being reactionary, while others will say this is kind of what we all saw coming.
The Colts signed Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract this offeason. That’s fine, but we know what Jones is after being the sixth-overall pick of the New York Giants in 2019. Anthony Richardson was the fourth-overall pick in 2023 and has had his well-documented issues as well. The problem is that right now, both are playing like undrafted free agents.
And, the knives in the media are coming out.
“You better get your Canadian passport because you’re gonna be playing in the CFL pretty soon,” said Fox Sports host Jason McIntyre. “That’s the negative side of Anthony Richardson.”
But, as if the CFL dig wasn’t bad enough, he continued.
“If you do not think Richardson has the chops to be an NFL QB, he didn’t start enough games in college, he can’t make the reads at the line of scrimmage, he took himself out of a game last year, then you think Anthony Richardson is done,” McIntyre added.
Neither quarterback has given anyone confidence
Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are on borrowed time. After an 8-9 season, they need to show the Colts’ brass something. Even if the end result of the 2025 season is disappointing, they better prove that the team is headed in the right direction.
Right now, there isn’t really a reason to think that.
“On the second drive of Indianapolis’ first preseason game, Richardson took a monster hit from Ravens linebacker David Ojabo, who came free on a rush off the right side of the offensive line,” writes Jared Dubin of CBS Sports following the Colts’ preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. “When Richardson got up, his right pinky finger was bent in the wrong direction, having been dislocated. He ultimately did not return to the game, being replaced by Jones and then rookie Riley Leonard. (Jones, as is his wont, struggled against Ravens backups, completing only 10 of 21 passes for 144 scoreless yards.)”
Colts need to be on the phone about Tanner McKee
Meanwhile in Philadelphia, the rich get richer. The defending Super Bowl champions have quietly been showcasing 2023 sixth-round Stanford alum Tanner McKee. McKee was sharp again in his team’s preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals, going 20-25 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and another on the year’s first Tush Push.
Whether or not the Eagles are listening to the local media and/or actively shopping him (or worse, using him to replace Jalen Hurts…just stop) is known only to Howie Roseman. But, it would make perfect sense for the Colts to pick up the phone and dial something starting with 215.
Steichen and Ballard aren’t long for Indianapolis. If Richardson is the answer, he hasn’t shown it. Jones is Jones. And, because the coach and G.M. have to show results sooner rather than later, why not risk sending the Eagles a future first rounder (that might be what it costs when all is said and done)? If it works out, you have your young quarterback of the future and you’ll likely stay employed. If it doesn’t? Welp, you were on your way out anyway and any missing draft capital is the next regime’s problem.
Tanner McKee is so-far, so-good
Yes, McKee’s sample size is limited, but it’s way more than any draft pick would have. He’s never had a bad outing in preseason or regular season (he played in two games in 2024), he’s been on a Super Bowl team and he’s still on a rookie contract for another two years.
Don’t forget there are good lines of communication between the Colts and Eagles with guys like Steichen and Nick Sirianni having ties to both teams. Perhaps the Colts still feel stung from the last time they traded for a Philly quarterback.
Right now, it’s pretty clear that neither Jones nor Richardson will play well enough to win games and save jobs. Finding a way to pry McKee away from Philadelphia (if they are even willing) would be way more effective than acquiring someone like Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
What do you think it would take for the Colts to get McKee from the Eagles?